Hasyim best man for Mega: Hamzah

Hasyim best man for Mega: Hamzah

M. Taufiqurrahman, Jakarta

United Development Party (PPP) leader Hamzah Haz has put an end
to speculation about his future with the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI-P), saying the ruling party will name
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) head Hasyim Muzadi its vice presidential
candidate.

"Hasyim Muzadi is ready to become the running mate of Ibu
Megawati," said Vice President Hamzah after a 90-minute talks
with Hasyim at his private residence in Matraman, East Jakarta.

Hamzah said he had written to Megawati asking her to pick
Hasyim as her partner in the July 5 election.

"With the letter, the PDI-P now has no other option but to
select Hasyim Muzadi," Hasyim was quoted by Antara as saying.

Hamzah said parting from Megawati would enable him to build a
new coalition of his own choice, which would include former
president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's National Awakening Party
(PKB).

Several small Islamic-leaning parties would also join the
grouping, he said.

After attending a meeting with other parties at the residence
of Reform Star Party chairman Zainuddin MZ, PPP executives
visited their Prosperous Justice Party counterparts on Monday
evening.

Meanwhile, Hasyim would not comment on whether he had accepted
Megawati's offer.

"I am still waiting for an official statement from the PDI-P,"
he said.

The PDI-P central board had earlier narrowed the party's
choice of vice presidential candidates to either Hasyim or
Hamzah. Both were selected on the grounds their grassroots
support could help Megawati win the presidency.

Megawati's aides have reportedly been in long and intense
negotiations with Hasyim during the past week.

PDI-P deputy secretary general Pramono Anung Wibowo refused to
comment on Hamzah's withdrawal.

"I can't give you more information about it. We will speak to
the public on Wednesday, so please just wait," he told The
Jakarta Post.

The Golkar Party has also courted Hasyim to run with its
presidential candidate Wiranto. Hasyim discreetly sidestepped
Golkar's offer by asking Wiranto and his party officials to
consult senior NU cleric Sahal Mahfudz. Sahal then passed the
ball back to Hasyim, saying the decision to accept the offer was
his alone.

A Golkar executive said he learned that a deal between Hasyim
and the PDI-P was 90 percent complete.

Hasyim's seeming reluctance has prompted Golkar to seek
another figure appropriate for Wiranto. It is now approaching
another NU figure, Solahuddin Wahid, who is Gus Dur's brother and
a National Commission on Human Rights member.

That pairing could spark controversy, as Wiranto has been put
under the international spotlight for his alleged role in the
East Timor conflict in 1999.

However, not all have ruled out a Wiranto-Hasyim pairing. NU
executive Ahmad Bagja dismissed the notion Hasyim had accepted
Megawati's offer.

"Despite what Pak Hamzah has said, it can't be concluded that
Pak Hasyim has accepted the PDI-P's offer. The possibility is
still open for other parties to build a coalition with him," he
told the Post, referring to the offer made earlier by Golkar.

He said Hasyim would hold more talks with Wiranto about the
latest political developments on Tuesday night (tonight).

PKB deputy Muhammad AS Hikam doubted the pairing of Megawati
and Hasyim would be supported by the bulk of NU members.

"(Hasyim) will run on his own," he said.