Gus Dur to open NU Youth congress

SEMARANG: President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to open the 12th congress of GP Ansor, the youth wing of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), on June 28.

The five-day congress will take place in Boyolali, some 60 kilometers southeast of here. More than 1,900 provincial representatives across the country have confirmed their participation.

Deputy organizing committee chairman Mulyadi said the congress participants would elect the new chief for the 2000-2005 term. Acting GP Ansor chairman Saefullah Yusuf, former secretary- general Saefulah Maksum and chairman of Association of Indonesian Muslim Students (PMII) Khotibul Umam are likely candidates for the top post.

The organizing committee has invited NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi and his deputy Said Aqil Siradj to the event, but no government officials were invited.

Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri will close the congress on July 2. (har)