Cadres Urge Yudhoyono to Save Democrat Party

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Several ruling Democrat Party cadres have urged the party's chief patron, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to save the party.

Roy Suryo, who is currently minister of sports and youth affairs, said in a text message to ANTARA here on Monday that the move is important in view of the party's declining popularity.

"Latest survey by SMRC shows the Democrat Party's electability has dropped to only eight percent and so actions must be taken. The party must be saved. That is the only way," he said.

Another party cadre, Jero Wacik, who is also minister of energy and mineral resources, has also called on Yudhoyono to take actions to save the party in preparation for the next general elections in 2014.

He said in a press conference on Sunday the party's cadres were worried following continuing drop in the party's popularity.

According to the Syaiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) latest survey, the popularity of the ruling Democrat party has dropped to only eight percent far below its strong rivals Golkar Party with around 21 percent and the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP) with 18 percent.

The Democrat Party's popularity continued to drop after several of its cadres were found involved in corruption cases. (*/DWA)