Abdurrahman named for presidency

Abdurrahman named for presidency

SEMARANG: The provincial office of the National Awakening
Party (PKB) here announced on Friday its support for the party
founding father Abdurrahman Wahid to run for the presidency.

Chief of PKB's Central Java office Noer Iskandar Al-Barsany,
said the decision to name Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur,
as the chapter's sole presidential candidate, was unchangeable.

"We will present our aspiration as soon as possible and are
set on fighting to make our nomination accepted," Iskandar said.

He said executives of the provincial party office agreed to
choose the National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais and
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle chairwoman Megawati
Soekarnoputri as vice presidential candidates.

"Both Amien and Megawati fit the bill to accompany Gus Dur
because of their commitment to sweeping reforms," Iskandar said.

The three opposition leaders have signed a joint-communique to
contain the status quo force.

Iskandar said if Abdurrahman failed or refused to join the
race for presidency, the PKB Central Java chapter would pick
party chairman Matori Abdul Djalil as an alternate. (har)