'Gus Dur' sells for Rp 11m

'Gus Dur' sells for Rp 11m

JAKARTA (JP): A caricature depicting the chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Islamic organization Abdurrahman Wahid praying sold for Rp 11 million at an auction here on Friday, while his cap went for Rp 10 million.

The caricature of Gus Dur, as Abdurrahman is commonly known, went to a young businessman identified as Andre. His cap was bought by the director of Matari advertising company, Ken Sidharta.

Matori Abdul Djalil, the chairman of the People's Awakening Party (PKB), said the auction, dubbed The Night of Nine Stars with Gus Dur, was organized to raise funds for the party, which draws most of its members from NU.

"We hope to raise around Rp 1 billion," Matori was quoted by Antara as saying.

Gus Dur himself was not present at the auction. Celebrities Rudi Djamil, Hetty Koes Endang and Cahyono were the auctioneers for the evening and former finance minister Fuad Bawazir and businesswoman Siti Hartati Murdaya were spotted leaving before the bidding got underway.

In addition to Gus Dur's belongings -- including his blanket -- the auction also offered a number of items from Cirebon Palace, including batik and some fine examples of calligraphy, along with some reproduction Vincent van Gogh paintings. (ste)