Hasyim nominated for presidency

JAKARTA: The Christian-based political party Love the Nation Democratic Party (PDKB) has proposed chairman of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Hasyim Muzadi as its presidential candidate.

PDKB chairman Manasse Malo said on Tuesday that Hasyim fulfilled the requirements for the country's leader because of his willingness to listen to people regardless of their ethnic background or religion.

The party's executives met Hasyim on Tuesday to convey their intention at NU's headquarters on Jl. Kramat Raya in Central Jakarta.

Hasyim himself did not immediately respond to the proposal, saying that he would consult NU's clerics who he said had assigned him to lead the organization instead of running for government posts.

Several provincial chapters of Golkar, the country's second largest political party, had once nominated Hasyim as their presidential candidate, but Hasyim rejected the request. -- JP