PDI-P eying Muslim figures as Megawati's running mate

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) was eying influential Muslim leaders, besides several noted politicians, to provide a running mate for President Megawati Soekarnoputri in the first direct presidential election in the predominantly Muslim country.

The four names emanating from the party's ongoing working meeting in Jakarta were Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi, Vice President Hamzah Haz, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Jusuf Kalla.

The Bali chapter of the PDI Perjuangan named Jusuf to accompany Megawati in the presidential election as the Golkar Party figure is popular in the east of the country.

"There are only two dominant groupings in society -- nationalist and Muslim -- so it is logical that our nationalist party is looking for a vice presidential candidate from the Muslim-based groupings," PDI Perjuangan deputy chairman Roy B.B. Janis said on Wednesday.

"It would be possible for Hamzah Haz or Hasyim Muzadi to be our vice presidential candidate provided they are supported by the party," he said.

The PDI Perjuangan's Bali chapter chief I.B. Putu Wesnawa said that most branches were of the opinion that Megawati should be paired with someone whom she could work with.

The other criteria for the vice presidential candidate was that he should come from a major party or religious group, and that his patriotism was indisputable.

Like Golkar, the PDI Perjuangan has yet to hold a national congress to put forward their presidential and vice presidential candidates, but both parties, which are the two major factions in the legislature, have begun to look for their own candidates as part of their preliminary preparations for the elections.

But unlike the PDI Perjuangan, Golkar is handicapped as far as winning the presidential election goes due to its association with the repressive New Order regime and its chairman Akbar Tandjung's conviction in the Buloggate scandal.

The Golkar party, the second largest after the PDI Perjuangan, had earlier mentioned seven possible candidates, including Jusuf, Susilo and noted Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid. The issue will be further discussed during the party's national conference in August.

The National Awakening Party (PKB), the fourth largest party in the legislature, have also named Susilo and Nurcholish as the party's potential presidential hopefuls.

Most political parties, including the United Development Party (PPP), National Awakening Party (PKB) and National Mandate Party (PAN) have yet to come up with their own presidential and vice presidential candidates.

The PDI Perjuangan, which took 35 percent of the vote in 1999, has explicitly said that it is willing to form a coalition with another major party as part of its bid to win an outright majority in the presidential election.

Roy said that Megawati was already aware of the possible vice presidential candidates, and the recommendation provided by the party meeting would serve as a reference in determining her final choice.

Separately, Jusuf refused to comment when asked about his possible candidacy, saying: "I am thankful if people are considering nominating me, but we will talk about it next year."

Hasyim said in Surabaya, East Java, that the PDI Perjuangan should consult with Muslim clerics if the party wanted to nominate him for the vice presidency.

The four-day PDI Perjuangan meeting will end on Thursday, after which the party is expected to disclose the criteria for selecting its vice presidential candidate.