Ismail Hasan says `yes', finally

Ismail Hasan says `yes', finally

JAKARTA (JP): Breaking his long silence, chairman of the
Moslem-oriented United Development Party (PPP) Ismail Hasan
Metareum announced yesterday he would seek re-election.

"With God's blessing, I'm ready to continue leading PPP,"
Ismail Hasan told journalists after meeting with Minister of
Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher.

Ismail Hasan, who was elected PPP boss in a congress with
little government intervention five years ago, had been known to
covet the second term but had refrained from publicly saying so,
until yesterday.

PPP will elect its new board of executives during its
forthcoming national congress in Jakarta from Aug. 28 through
Sept. 1.

Described by his critics as a conservative politician,
Ismail Hasan has secured strong support from a number of PPP
leaders in the provinces.

His nearest contender is Matori Abdul Djalil, his own
secretary general, who has the support of the Nahdlatul Ulama
(NU), the largest of the four factions in the PPP.

PPP is an amalgam of four Moslem organizations: NU, Muslimin
Indonesia (MI), Perti and Sarekat Islam. Ismail Hasan comes from
MI, which has dominated the leadership since the party was formed
21 years ago.

Meanwhile, the Antara reported yesterday that NU leaders in
East Kalimantan have thrown their support for Matori.

"We will soon made a written statement to reaffirm our support
for him," said Khairul Fud, chairman of the Samarinda branch of
PPP.

Matori, now PPP's secretary general, was touring PPP offices
in East Kalimantan last week. He insisted he did not garner local
support for his election bid but rather to seek ideas on how to
develop the party. (pan)