Megawati to visit Hasyim

SURABAYA: President Megawati Soekarnoputri, in her capacity as Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) leader, will visit Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi at his Islamic boarding school in Malang this weekend.

However, PDI-P deputy secretary general Pramono Anung was quick to dismiss speculation the meeting would be aimed at reconciling the PDI-P with the National Awakening Party (PKB), whose grassroots are mainly NU supporters.

Pramono said the two leaders would discuss the future of the nation -- and not political deals -- in the runup to the elections.

"It will be an ordinary get-together and the discussion will be restricted to the nation's future," Pramono said in Surabaya on Monday.

Megawati has said she would choose between a military figure and a Muslim leader as her running mate in the presidential elections.

Pramono said Hasyim fit the criteria set by Megawati, but it did not mean the PDI-P chairwoman would necessarily seek his support.

Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas visited Hasyim at his Islamic boarding school in October last year. -- JP