The main opposition party in Indonesia, the Muslim-based United Development Party ,the PPP, is holding a national convention in Jakarta to elect a new chairman.

Tens of thousands of supporters attended the opening rally in a sports stadium in the Indonesian capital.

The convention comes some months before multi-party elections, which the Indonesian president, B J Habibie, has called for May or June next year.

Correspondents say many new political parties -- often Islamic in character -- have appeared in Indonesia since political restrictions were lifted following the resignation of the former military leader, President Suharto, in May.