Noted cleric to enliven VP race

Noted cleric to enliven VP race

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Noted Muslim cleric Abdullah
Gymnastiar, better known as Aa' Gym, and Cabinet minister Kwik
Kian Gie have been added to the list of possible running mates
for National Mandate Party presidential hopeful Amien Rais.

Amien announced on Wednesday that Gymnastiar and Kwik would
compete with eight other vice presidential candidates recommended
by the party's provincial chapters during their national meeting
here.

The party had previously selected nine candidates, but one of
them, former minister Siswono Yudo Husodo, lacked the support and
was scrapped from the roster. Senior ministers Jusuf Kalla and
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Minister of Transportation Agum
Gumelar were touted as the favorite candidates, Amien said.

The party's deputy chairman, A.M. Fatwa, said on Wednesday the
national meeting would let Amien choose his preference from among
the 10 candidates.

Amien, who is also the People's Consultative Assembly speaker,
said however that the party had not officially asked any of the
candidates.

In Jakarta, Jusuf said he appreciated PAN's offer, but he
would only respond depending on the results of the general
election in 2004. -- JP