NU announces criteria for president

SURABAYA: Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi announced NU's criteria for presidential and vice presidential candidates for the July elections.

The ideal candidates, according to the criteria, must have no record of offenses relating to politics, the economy and human rights. They would have to be clean of corruption, and have strong leadership to manage the country and to win the support of the people, Hasyim said after a closed-door meeting with executives of NU's East Java chapter on Monday.

"The country's next leaders must implement a program aimed at recovery," Hasyim said, referring to the multi-dimensional that hit the country in 1998.

Hasyim's remarks came amid rumors that he would run for president or vice president. Several party leaders, including incumbent President Megawati Soekarnoputri, have visited Hasyim and other influential NU clerics, thanks to its 40 million followers. -- Antara.