Mustofa Bisri quits DPD election

SEMARANG: Muslim cleric and poet Mustofa Bisri sprang a surprise on Thursday by announcing his withdrawal from the election of Regional Representatives Council (DPD) members on April 5.

Mustofa, better known as Gus Mus, said in his letter read by deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama's (NU) Central Java chapter Abu Habsin that he would focus on his Islamic boarding school in Rembang, some 100 kilometers east of here.

In his letter Gus Mus recommended Nafisah Sahal Mahfudz, the wife of Indonesian Ulemas Council Sahal Mahfudz, as his replacement.

The election of DPD members will take place simultaneously with the election of House of Representatives and regional legislature members.

Over 900 candidates will vie for 128 DPD seats, with each province represented by four legislators.

Gus Mus was not available for confirmation.

Chairwoman of Central Java's elections commission Fitriyah said she had not received Gus Mus' letter of resignation, but admitted she had heard about the Muslim cleric's plan. -- JP