PKB nominates Gus Dur for presidency

PURWOKERTO, Central Java (JP): The National Awakening Party (PKB) has decided to nominate Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Abdurrahman Wahid as its presidential candidate, while deputy chairman Said Agil Siradj is said to be ready to take the helm of Indonesia's largest Muslim organization.

"This is serious. The PKB is nominating Gus Dur (Abdurrahman's nickname)," according to Muhaimin Iskandar, an executive of the PKB here late Wednesday. The political party was established by Abdurrahman Wahid late last year. Its chairman is former United Development Party (PPP) executive Matori Abdul Djalil.

Muhaimin's statement was supported by Said who said in Jakarta that "it would be better if the next president is from the PKB".

Muhaimin explained that the government to be established after the June 7 general election should be one that strives to bring national reconciliation, restore the economy and install order to the vulnerable social infrastructure.

"Such an administration requires a leader with the ability to forge reconciliation; a professional who enjoys the support of the masses and the international world. Such support is needed for Indonesia to heal its economy," he said.

Abdurrahman Wahid has been conspicuous lately in a campaign to reconcile conflicting parties in society. The inclusion of former president Soeharto in his crusade led to a controversial meeting with the former president.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, Said Agil told journalists he was ready to take Abdurrahman's place if he was elected to the congress of the 30-million-strong organization in November at the Nirboyo Pondok Pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Kediri, East Java. Said is chief organizer of the event.

"I am ready to be elected. But it will depend on the congress... there should be an order to it," he said as quoted by Antara.

Abdurrahman has occupied the post twice. He was last elected to the congress in Dec. 1994 in Cipasung, West Java. Controversy dogged the election because it was racked with conflicts and marked the inception of a rival leadership under Abu Hasan.

Said explained that his use of the expression "an order" was necessitated because the congress would also need to consider two other names, namely cleric-cum-poet Mustofa Bisri of Rembang, Central Java, and Hasyim Muzadi who chairs the East Java chapter of NU. (45/swe)