Three parties name presidential candidates<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two political parties tested the waters on
\nFriday, naming lesser known presidential candidates.<\/p>\n
The Justice Party named Didin Hafidhuddin, a Muslim scholar,
\nas their presidential candidate. The Islamic People's Party (PUI)
\nnamed its chairman, political scientist Deliar Noer, while
\nanother party, the Indonesian United Islam Party (PSII) named
\nPresident B.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
PSII secretary-general Amaruddin Djajasubita said, "So far we
\ndo not have any other candidates."<\/p>\n
Justice Party chairman Nur Mahmudi Ismail said on Friday that
\nDidin was selected from 12 names proposed for the presidency.
\nDidin, like the Justice Party, is new to the national scene.<\/p>\n
"He (Didin) fits the criteria set during the party's national
\nmeeting for a presidential candidate... he is a moralist, a
\ndemocrat, a patriot, truly committed to reform, independent and
\nyoung," Nur said.<\/p>\n
The nominee must also be free from any links to past powers,
\neither from the Old Order or the New Order, he added.<\/p>\n
Didin, an alumni of the Bogor Agricultural Institute, is
\ncurrently taking his doctoral degree at the State Institute of
\nIslamic Studies Syarif Hidayatullah in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
"His activities as a preacher, professor and scholar are a
\nvery good combination. He may not be popular but he has the
\nqualities of a leader; we all agree on this," Nur added.<\/p>\n
Didin, a dean in the department of Islamic studies at Ibnu
\nChaldun University in Bogor, stated his wish to reform all state
\ninstitutions, including the legislature, the executive and the
\njudicial system.<\/p>\n
"My priority is to activate the true functions of these
\ninstitutions and for us to have a better legal system to run this
\ncountry."<\/p>\n
In response to the possibility of the party nominating another
\npresidential candidate, such as Habibie, Didin simply replied,
\n"Let's wait and see the results of the next poll."<\/p>\n
Political scholar Nurcholish Madjid last month said several
\nIslam-oriented parties would nominate Habibie as their
\npresidential candidate because of his identity as a Muslim
\nintellectual.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian United Islam Party (PSII), explaining its
\nnomination of Habibie, told Antara its criteria for the
\npresidency was a person who was a "reformist, master of science
\nand technology, a democrat who respects human rights as well as
\nplaces the nation's interest above personal benefit".<\/p>\n
Separately in Bandung, West Java, the secretary-general of the
\nIslamic People's Party (PUI), Judilherry, said his party would
\nname Deliar Noer president if it wins the upcoming general
\nelection. (edt\/43)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-parties-name-presidential-candidates-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}