Hasyim touted to replace Hamzah

SEMARANG: Disappointed with the unforeseeable defeat in the presidential election, the Central Java chapter of the United Development Party (PPP) has nominated vice presidential candidate Hasyim Muzadi to replace party chairman Hamzah Haz.

"We will soon hold a meeting to prepare for the party congress," the party's chapter deputy secretary Masrukhan Syamsuri said on Thursday.

He said Hasyim, who is currently nonactive in his capacity as chairman of the country's largest organization Nahdlatul Ulama, would be the province's candidate for the PPP top post in addition to chapter chairman Ahmad Thoyfoer.

The congress is scheduled to take place at the end of 2005 or early 2006. --JP