PKB leaks parties' past political deal

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Discontent with a regulation detrimental to the comeback bid of its presidential candidate Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, the National Awakening Party (PKB) disclosed a backroom deal made among parties that would allow him to run for the top job.

PKB leader Alwi Shihab told a media conference the compromise was agreed upon to provide a leeway for all possible presidential candidates to join the race, including lowering the stringent health requirements for Gus Dur, who has impaired vision.

"When we deliberated the presidential election bill, there was a compromise made (between the parties) that a candidate would not be required to hold a bachelor degree so that Megawati could join the race, the word 'defendant' was dropped to accommodate Golkar leader Akbar Tandjung, the 15 percent electoral threshold was lowered to only 3 for Amien and the article on health requirements was to be modified for Gus Dur," Alwi told the conference at Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) head office here on Thursday. Gus Dur was also present.

Incumbent president Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also the candidate of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), does not have a university degree.

Golkar Party leader Akbar was found guilty in a graft case by the Central Jakarta District Court and the Jakarta High Court when the presidential bill was being debated. The Supreme Court acquitted Akbar in February, but he lost to former Indonesian Military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto in the Golkar's convention to select its presidential aspirant.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) nominated its leader Amien Rais for the presidency, after the party garnered 7 percent of the vote.

"It was a gentleman's agreement that must be respected by all parties involved." Alwi said.

He said due to the deal Gus Dur should be given equal opportunity to contest the presidential race.

"PKB will file legal charges against the KPU should they disqualify Gus Dur," Alwi said.

Gus Dur was dismissed as president in July 2001 for incompetence, and was succeeded by his deputy Megawati.

Last week, Gus Dur told the press he had been declared unfit to contest the presidential election by the KPU due to his poor eyesight.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) will announce the eligible presidential candidates on Saturday.

Earlier on Thursday, PKB deputy chairman Mahfud MD submitted Gus Dur's credentials and those of his running mate Marwah Daud Ibrahim, including copies of ID cards, a statement declaring that they are debt-free and have no tax arrears.

Other candidates also completed the requirements on Thursday.

Later on Thursday, Gus Dur flew to the West Java town of Cirebon to meet one of NU's respected clerics, Abdullah Abbas, who runs the Buntet Muslim boarding school, to introduce Marwah to NU leaders in the town.

Gus Dur said after a closed-door meeting with Abbas he would go ahead with his presidential bid, due to support from the prominent clerics.

"Most clerics are behind me," he said, comparing himself with NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi, who will contest the election as Megawati's running mate.

In a related development, NU's East Java branch capped a plenary meeting on Thursday in Surabaya with a pledge to support Megawati and Hasyim. The province is the main NU stronghold, the largest Muslim organization in the country.

Meanwhile, in an apparent move to improve the quality of the presidential campaign, the KPU will require candidates to present their manifesto during the month-long campaign starting on June 1.

"The campaign must not be about personalities alone. It must be used to inform the public about the manifesto of each candidate," KPU member Anas Urbaningrum said on Wednesday.

Fund -- Page 2