Semarang – The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) will decide on its presidential and vice presidential candidates in April, or after the general election to select members of the House of Representatives (DPR), the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and the Regional Legislative Council (DPRD), a senior party official has said.

"We will decide who will be nominated as presidential and vice presidential candidates in April, or after the legislative election on April 9," PDI-P secretary-general Tjahjo Kumolo said in Semarang on Sunday as quoted by Antara news agency.

According to Tjahjo, the timeframe needed to be conveyed to the public following speculation that the PDI-P would declare its candidates in January to coincide with the party's anniversary.

It has been rumored that the party will name only one presidential candidate. "It's not true," said Tjahjo, who is a legislative candidate for the 2014-2019 period from the Central Java electoral I (Dapil I), which covers Semarang city, Semarang regency, Salatiga city and Kendal regency.

Tjahjo asserted that his party, as decided at its national meeting (Rakernas) in September, had entrusted the matter to PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"When is the right time to declare it? Who will be decided upon to run in the next presidential election? All of these will be decided by Ibu Megawati," said Tjahjo, adding that the party would pay close attention to the political dynamics. "Ibu Megawati will remain careful," he added.

Referring to several surveys, Tjahjo said that two out of seven presidential candidates were from the PDI-P. They were Megawati and Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, the current Jakarta governor. (ebf)