PKB nominates Gus Dur for presidency

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)