PKB plays down fatwa polemic<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta\/Surabaya\/Kupang<\/p>\n
National Awakening Party (PKB) politicians sought to dispel
\nconcerns over the possibility of internal friction rising among
\nthe Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) as several NU figures blaze the campaign
\ntrail, but took up the challenge presented by their electoral
\nrivals subtly.<\/p>\n
The PKB was founded by the central board of the 40 million-
\nstrong NU, the country's largest Muslim organization, including
\ndisqualified candidate and former president Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\"
\nWahid.<\/p>\n
Solahuddin Wahid, an NU cleric and brother to Gus Dur, said on
\nTuesday that the NU would remain united even though NU chairman
\nHasyim Muzadi is running alongside incumbent President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
Hasyim has been suspended from his NU post for the duration of
\nhis campaign, while Solahuddin is running mate to Gen. (ret)
\nWiranto under the Golkar party banner.<\/p>\n
Solahuddin stressed that Hasyim represented Megawati's
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), not the NU.<\/p>\n
\"Historically, any political affairs relevant to the NU are
\ntaken care of by the PKB, which bases its decisions on the advice
\nof the NU's elders. Therefore, Pak Hasyim represents neither the
\nNU nor its central board,\" he told a cheering crowd in Surabaya,
\nEast Java.<\/p>\n
Wiranto-Solahuddin gained the endorsement of the PKB following
\nGolkar's public announcement of their nomination.<\/p>\n
Campaign activities were also used as an opportunity to
\nrespond to a recent verbal fatwa -- generally a non-binding
\nrecommendation within the context of Indonesian Islam -- from
\nseveral East Java NU clerics, who effectively said it was
\nforbidden for Muslims to elect a woman president.<\/p>\n
In response to the issue, PKB chairman Mahfud M.D. said the
\nparty \"would not use the fatwa issue against other candidates\",
\nas the party adhered to a belief that it was haram -- or
\nforbidden under Islamic law -- to elect a president who was
\nincompetent.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Wiranto in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, spoke at a
\ncampaign rally and press conference, declaring he had \"the
\nsupport of the international community\" and that he was clean of
\nany human rights violations. Mindful of the local Catholic
\nmajority, he stressed his commitment to uphold unity and protect
\nminorities, hence he \"would not tolerate the attempts of a few
\npeople to apply the sharia in Indonesia\".<\/p>\n
In response to suggestions that the economy might collapse
\nfurther if he did not have international backing, he said he had
\nthe support of \"at least 15 countries\".<\/p>\n
\"I have met with the envoys of friendly countries in Europe
\nand the Middle East, of Japan, Singapore, the United States,
\nAustralia...\" He said they expressed appreciation for the
\ndemocratic process in Indonesia over several meetings, and that
\nnone of them had expressed any objection to his candidacy.<\/p>\n
In fact, they voiced their support, so \"none of those
\ncountries would stop their financial aid\", he said.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, United Development Party (PPP) candidates Hamzah
\nHaz and Gen. (ret) Agum Gumelar held on Tuesday a fairly festive
\noutdoor campaign at the Kemayoran Fairground, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
The campaign featured a number of popular performers -- such
\nas transvestite entertainer Dorce Gamalama and record-breaking
\ndrummer Jelly Tobing -- making the event reminiscent of the
\nfanfare preceding the April 5 general election.<\/p>\n
Crowds danced in the heat to dangdut music sporting brand-new
\ncampaign T-shirts, while Hamzah pledged to provide free primary
\nand secondary education if he were elected president.<\/p>\n
More stories -- Page 3<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pkb-plays-down-fatwa-polemic-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }