President visits former NU head<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid visited ailing Idham
\nChalid, a distinguished politician and former head of Nahdlatul
\nUlama (NU), at his residence on a relaxed Sunday afternoon.<\/p>\n
There was little exchange of conversation between the two as
\nIdham, 78, weak and was confined to a wheelchair due to long-term
\nillness (photo left).<\/p>\n
Presidential aides said Abdurrahman was keen to seen Idham who
\nis ailing due to his of aging.<\/p>\n
A member of Idham's family said during the meeting that
\nAbdurrahman refused to be called as \"Bapak Presiden\".<\/p>\n
The visits seemed more like a family reunion. Idham served as
\nhead of the country's largest Muslim organization from 1956 and
\n1984. He was replaced by Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
Idham is known as an accomplished politician from the eras of
\nthe country's first president, Sukarno, and his successor
\nSoeharto.<\/p>\n
Following the 1955 general election, he was deputy prime
\nminister in the Ali Sastroamidjojo-Mohammad Roem-Idham Chalid
\nCabinet.<\/p>\n
He was minister of people's welfare in 1966 and speaker of the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly from 1971 to 1977. He was also
\nchairman of the United Development Party during the period.<\/p>\n
After stepping down as Assembly speaker, he became a member of
\nthe Supreme Advisory Council.<\/p>\n
The brief 15-minute visit on Sunday continued the round of
\nsocial calls the newly elected President has been making on
\nsenior politicians and community elders.<\/p>\n
He visited former military commander A.H. Nasution last week.
\n(mds)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-visits-former-nu-head-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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