PKB nominates Gus Dur for presidency<\/p>\n
PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The National Awakening Party
\n(PKB) has decided to nominate Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman
\nAbdurrahman Wahid as its presidential candidate, while deputy
\nchairman Said Agil Siradj is said to be ready to take the helm of
\nIndonesia's largest Muslim organization.<\/p>\n
\"This is serious. The PKB is nominating Gus Dur (Abdurrahman's
\nnickname),\" according to Muhaimin Iskandar, an executive of the
\nPKB here late Wednesday. The political party was established by
\nAbdurrahman Wahid late last year. Its chairman is former United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP) executive Matori Abdul Djalil.<\/p>\n
Muhaimin's statement was supported by Said who said in Jakarta
\nthat \"it would be better if the next president is from the PKB\".<\/p>\n
Muhaimin explained that the government to be established after
\nthe June 7 general election should be one that strives to bring
\nnational reconciliation, restore the economy and install order to
\nthe vulnerable social infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\"Such an administration requires a leader with the ability to
\nforge reconciliation; a professional who enjoys the support of
\nthe masses and the international world. Such support is needed
\nfor Indonesia to heal its economy,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman Wahid has been conspicuous lately in a campaign to
\nreconcile conflicting parties in society. The inclusion of former
\npresident Soeharto in his crusade led to a controversial meeting
\nwith the former president.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Jakarta, Said Agil told journalists he was ready
\nto take Abdurrahman's place if he was elected to the congress of
\nthe 30-million-strong organization in November at the Nirboyo
\nPondok Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Kediri, East Java.
\nSaid is chief organizer of the event.<\/p>\n
\"I am ready to be elected. But it will depend on the
\ncongress... there should be an order to it,\" he said as quoted
\nby Antara.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman has occupied the post twice. He was last elected
\nto the congress in Dec. 1994 in Cipasung, West Java. Controversy
\ndogged the election because it was racked with conflicts and
\nmarked the inception of a rival leadership under Abu Hasan.<\/p>\n
Said explained that his use of the expression \"an order\" was
\nnecessitated because the congress would also need to consider two
\nother names, namely cleric-cum-poet Mustofa Bisri of Rembang,
\nCentral Java, and Hasyim Muzadi who chairs the East Java chapter
\nof NU. (45\/swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pkb-nominates-gus-dur-for-presidency-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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