Clerics support Hamzah's bid

Clerics support Hamzah's bid

PROBOLINGGO, East Java: A number of Muslim clerics or kyai
have asked Vice President Hamzah Haz to be ready to contest the
first ever presidential election on July 5.

Hamzah, chairman of the Islamic-based United Development Party
(PPP), said Wednesday that dozens of kyai had asked him to
prepare his presidential bid in a closed-door meeting.

He made the statement after a meeting with the kyai at the
Zainul Hassan Islamic boarding school.

Among the kyai attending the meeting were Hassan Saiful Islam,
Fawaid Syamsul Arifin, Ihyaulimiddin, and Hassan Syaiful Rizal.

Hamzah told the Muslim clerics that he would make a decision
after the results of the general election were announced.

East Java, the stronghold of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), will
contribute a large portion of the votes in the elections. A
number of politicians including Amien Rais, Wiranto, and
Abdurrahman Wahid often visit the region. - Antara