Megawati to visit Hasyim

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