Hasyim best man for Mega: Hamzah<\/p>\n
M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta<\/p>\n
United Development Party (PPP) leader Hamzah Haz has put an end
\nto speculation about his future with the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI-P), saying the ruling party will name
\nNahdlatul Ulama (NU) head Hasyim Muzadi its vice presidential
\ncandidate.<\/p>\n
\"Hasyim Muzadi is ready to become the running mate of Ibu
\nMegawati,\" said Vice President Hamzah after a 90-minute talks
\nwith Hasyim at his private residence in Matraman, East Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Hamzah said he had written to Megawati asking her to pick
\nHasyim as her partner in the July 5 election.<\/p>\n
\"With the letter, the PDI-P now has no other option but to
\nselect Hasyim Muzadi,\" Hasyim was quoted by Antara as saying.<\/p>\n
Hamzah said parting from Megawati would enable him to build a
\nnew coalition of his own choice, which would include former
\npresident Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid's National Awakening Party
\n(PKB).<\/p>\n
Several small Islamic-leaning parties would also join the
\ngrouping, he said.<\/p>\n
After attending a meeting with other parties at the residence
\nof Reform Star Party chairman Zainuddin MZ, PPP executives
\nvisited their Prosperous Justice Party counterparts on Monday
\nevening.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Hasyim would not comment on whether he had accepted
\nMegawati's offer.<\/p>\n
\"I am still waiting for an official statement from the PDI-P,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
The PDI-P central board had earlier narrowed the party's
\nchoice of vice presidential candidates to either Hasyim or
\nHamzah. Both were selected on the grounds their grassroots
\nsupport could help Megawati win the presidency.<\/p>\n
Megawati's aides have reportedly been in long and intense
\nnegotiations with Hasyim during the past week.<\/p>\n
PDI-P deputy secretary general Pramono Anung Wibowo refused to
\ncomment on Hamzah's withdrawal.<\/p>\n
\"I can't give you more information about it. We will speak to
\nthe public on Wednesday, so please just wait,\" he told The
\nJakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The Golkar Party has also courted Hasyim to run with its
\npresidential candidate Wiranto. Hasyim discreetly sidestepped
\nGolkar's offer by asking Wiranto and his party officials to
\nconsult senior NU cleric Sahal Mahfudz. Sahal then passed the
\nball back to Hasyim, saying the decision to accept the offer was
\nhis alone.<\/p>\n
A Golkar executive said he learned that a deal between Hasyim
\nand the PDI-P was 90 percent complete.<\/p>\n
Hasyim's seeming reluctance has prompted Golkar to seek
\nanother figure appropriate for Wiranto. It is now approaching
\nanother NU figure, Solahuddin Wahid, who is Gus Dur's brother and
\na National Commission on Human Rights member.<\/p>\n
That pairing could spark controversy, as Wiranto has been put
\nunder the international spotlight for his alleged role in the
\nEast Timor conflict in 1999.<\/p>\n
However, not all have ruled out a Wiranto-Hasyim pairing. NU
\nexecutive Ahmad Bagja dismissed the notion Hasyim had accepted
\nMegawati's offer.<\/p>\n
\"Despite what Pak Hamzah has said, it can't be concluded that
\nPak Hasyim has accepted the PDI-P's offer. The possibility is
\nstill open for other parties to build a coalition with him,\" he
\ntold the Post, referring to the offer made earlier by Golkar.<\/p>\n
He said Hasyim would hold more talks with Wiranto about the
\nlatest political developments on Tuesday night (tonight).<\/p>\n
PKB deputy Muhammad AS Hikam doubted the pairing of Megawati
\nand Hasyim would be supported by the bulk of NU members.<\/p>\n
\"(Hasyim) will run on his own,\" he said.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hasyim-best-man-for-mega-hamzah-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }