Cak Nur seeks presidency through book<\/p>\n
Urip Hudiono, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Prominent Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid is pursuing his
\npresidential bid next year by launching a book on nation-building
\ntitled Indonesia Kita (Our Indonesia).<\/p>\n
The 157-page book was launched on Saturday, containing a 10-
\npoint political platform to rebuild Indonesia should he be
\nelected president in 2004.<\/p>\n
"Although the political platform needs further details in its
\nactual implementation, it nevertheless represents my proposed
\nsolutions to the nation's current problems," said Cak Nur, as he
\nis better know.<\/p>\n
The program includes establishing good governance and
\nupholding the supremacy of the law through the elimination of the
\npervasive culture of feudalism, as well as promoting national
\nunity through a cultural approach and by creating a more humane
\npolice and military.<\/p>\n
National reconciliation, economic reform and the strengthening
\nof civil freedom are also among Cak Nur's main concerns, as well
\nas improvement in the quality of national education and social
\njustice.<\/p>\n
He also suggested that Indonesia take a more active role in
\npromoting world peace.<\/p>\n
Saturday's launching ceremony, held at the Hilton Executive
\nClub, was attended by a number of national figures, senior
\npoliticians and presidential hopefuls.<\/p>\n
Those present included Pioneer Party leader Rachmawati
\nSoekarnoputri, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) leader Hidayat Nur
\nWahid, Indonesian Justice and Unity Party (PKPI) leader Edi
\nSudrajat and Democrat Social Labor Party (PDSD) leader Muchtar
\nPakpahan.<\/p>\n
National figures attending the ceremony were Azyumardi Azra,
\nFranz Magnis Suseno, Solahuddin Wahid, Taufik Abdullah, HS
\nDillon, Frans Seda and Achmad Tirtosudiro.<\/p>\n
Other guests included Indonesia Corruption Watch (ICW)
\ncoordinator Teten Masduki, Corruption Eradication Commission
\n(KPK) member Erry Riyana Hardjapemekas, Father Mudji Sutrisno and
\nBondan Gunawan.<\/p>\n
Cak Nur has announced his bid to contest the first ever direct
\npresidential election in 2004, challenging other candidates
\nincluding incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri, Amien Rais
\nand Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid.<\/p>\n
He recently decided to withdraw from a Golkar Party convention
\nto select a presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
Cak Nur said that no political party had officially nominated
\nhim as the new presidential candidate, although he had held talks
\nwith several party leaders, including the latest meeting in
\nYogyakarta with Amien, who chairs the National Mandate Party
\n(PAN).<\/p>\n
"The top priority for all parties now is to discuss their list
\nof legislative candidates, including how to fulfill the 30
\npercent quota for women and avoid unscrupulous politicians in
\ntheir lists. The parties have delayed announcing their
\npresidential candidates," Cak Nur said.<\/p>\n
Edi Sudrajat, a retired Army general, had also invited Cak Nur
\nto several meetings with his PKPI supporters.<\/p>\n
Cak Nur explained that his recent meeting with Amien was
\nmerely to share and discuss views on the future of Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"I will have similar meetings in January and February with
\nother party figures to discuss our views," he added.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/cak-nur-seeks-presidency-through-book-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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