Ba'asyir's group supports Amien Rais

JAKARTA: A group of some 70 Islamic delegates, including from the hardline group, the Indonesian Mujahidin Council (MMI), expressed their support for Amien Rais on Friday.

Embattled Muslim cleric Abu Bakar Ba'asyir is the cofounder and spiritual leader of MMI.

On behalf of Amien and his running mate Siswono, Din Syamsudin, one of the candidate's campaign strategists, received the statement of support during a gathering held at the Al-Azhar Mosque in South Jakarta.

However, a member of the General Election Commission's South Jakarta Office, Hamid Darnadi said the gathering was in direct violation of campaign regulations as it was not conducted according to the schedule.-JP