Mustofa Bisri quits DPD election

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