Deputy MPR speaker in bad shape

JAKARTA: Muslim cleric Cholil Bisri, a deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), is in critical condition and will be flown to his hometown of Rembang in Central Java on Friday morning from Jakarta by helicopter, his sister-in law said on Thursday. "It's the wish of Pak Cholil to return home," she added. Cholil was admitted to the MMC hospital last week with a serious liver ailment and dangerously low blood pressure. The cofounder of the National Awakening Party (PKB) was discharged from the Medistra hospital a few months ago with similar problems. --JP