Jakarta – Indonesia's opposition parties are certain to win parliamentary elections next month and to take the presidency later in the year, according to an opinion poll published yesterday. But none of the parties had anywhere near a commanding enough lead to form a government on its own.

The poll, published by Tempo weekly, put the ruling Golkar party and President B.J. Habibie well down the list.

The results come as Golkar kicked off its official election campaign in Jakarta, hinting it might reconsider its choice of Dr Habibie as its presidential candidate. Dr Amien Rais, leader of the National Mandate Party (PAN), was the top presidential candidate with 21.2 per cent, according to the poll. Just behind him with 20.1 per cent was Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri, leader of Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P). Dr Habibie, who took over the presidency a year ago, managed only 10.1 per cent.

Above him with 15.1 per cent was Sultan Hamengku Buwono, a largely apolitical figure who is seen as a possible compromise presidential candidate if the main opposition parties cannot agree on one from among themselves. The presidential election is set for November.

For the June vote, the poll showed Ms Megawati's PDI-P in front with almost 25 per cent. Dr Rais's PAN came second with almost 20 per cent, while Golkar was just over 10 per cent.

PDI-P and PAN are two of the three major opposition parties which signed an agreement last week for an alliance to defeat Golkar. Tempo said that the poll was based on 931 replies from 19 provinces.