PKB leaks parties' past political deal

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.

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