Susilo-Kalla nomination official<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Surabaya\/Jakarta\/Bogor<\/p>\n
The Democratic Party officially declared former senior ministers
\nSusilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla as its flag bearers for
\nthe July 5 presidential election, in Surabaya on Friday.<\/p>\n
The declaration was made after a plenary meeting attended by
\nthe party's Central Executive Board (DPP) members, and provincial
\nand regental\/municipal leaders from around the country.<\/p>\n
Also attending the announcement were several leaders of the
\nCrescent Star Party (PBB), Reform Star Party (PBR), and Indonesia
\nJustice and Unity Party (PKPI).<\/p>\n
The three parties had reportedly agreed to support the Susilo-
\nKalla pairing in the country's first-ever direct presidential
\nelection on July 5.<\/p>\n
Susilo said in his speech that he and Kalla would strive to
\nbring about peace, justice, democracy and prosperity.<\/p>\n
Kalla, on the other hand, appealed for public support.<\/p>\n
\"We are nothing without support from the party and the public
\nat large,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The pair will register itself with the General Elections
\nCommission (KPU) on Monday and make a formal announcement later
\nin the day at the Jakarta Convention Center.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, politicians from Muslim-based parties
\ncontinued to hold \"political communications\" on Friday, with the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) leader Hamzah Haz hosting several
\ndialogs with other party leaders.<\/p>\n
Hamzah also held a meeting with PBB chairman Yusril Ihza
\nMahendra at his official residence on Friday to discuss an
\n\"alternative presidential candidate\".<\/p>\n
\"He (Yusril) can be the alternative candidate,\" Hamzah said
\nafter the meeting.<\/p>\n
\"We would like to build a permanent coalition and find a
\nfigure acceptable to the people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, Hamzah was accompanied by several PPP
\nleaders, while Yusril was with PBB secretary-general MS Ka'ban.<\/p>\n
Some Muslim-based parties, including PPP and the National
\nAwakening Party (PKB), have held a series of meetings in the past
\nfew days to form a coalition and field one common candidate for
\nthe upcoming election.<\/p>\n
The meetings started after Megawati Soekarnoputri of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) shelved her plan
\nto nominate Hamzah as her running mate in the election, and the
\nSupreme Court rejected a review filed by PKB on health
\nrequirements for presidential and vice presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
The requirements are likely to disqualify PKB's presidential
\ncandidate, the visually impaired Muslim cleric Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
Later on Friday, Hamzah also held a meeting with former
\ntransmigration minister Siswono Yudohusodo, widely rumored to be
\nthe running mate of National Mandate Party (PAN) leader Amien
\nRais, who is also chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR).<\/p>\n
\"I have to respect small parties that support my nomination as
\npresidential candidate. I will decide whether to accept PAN's
\noffer before May 9,\" he said after meeting Hamzah.<\/p>\n
Siswono has been nominated by some small parties as their
\npresidential candidate in the July 5 election.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Amien said in Bogor, West Java on Friday that he
\nwas happy with the \"underdog position\". His party only came sixth
\nin the legislative election.<\/p>\n
He also admitted that he had to work hard to win the election.<\/p>\n
Amien is slated to announce his running mate on Sunday at the
\nGedung Juang building in Central Jakarta.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/susilo-kalla-nomination-official-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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