Prospective eye donors line up for Abdurrahman

SEMARANG (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) executive Imam Syafii called on Thursday for President Abdurrahman Wahid to accept an offer from prospective eye donors.

Imam was responding to the unusual offer from a group of National Awakening Party (PKB) supporters in Yogyakarta. The group said on Wednesday they were prepared to donate their eyes to the country's new President, who is the PKB's founder and chairman of the 35 million-strong NU.

"I praise and thank the prospective donors who want President Abdurrahman to be able to carry out his daily duties effectively," NU treasurer Imam said here.

But Imam said it was up to Abdurrahman to decide whether he wanted to accept the offer.

"If there are no obstacles in respect to medical or religious matters, I think the President is willing to take up the offer," Imam said.

"Lets hope that the President will accept (this idea)," he added.

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, has been suffering from eyesight problems for years. He recently told his aides that objects appeared "blurry" to him.

He traveled in May to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he underwent cosmetic surgery on his eyelids. Since then, the President has had ongoing medical treatment. Several months before his U.S. visit, he traveled to European countries for the same therapy.

Long before the presidential election was held earlier this month, Abdurrahman repeatedly said he would only run for the presidency if his eyesight was restored. PKB leaders also said at the time that they would support Abdurrahman's bid if he regained his sight.

Abdurrahman was hospitalized last year after a stroke attack.

Nominated by a group of Muslim parties called the "axis force", Abdurrahman defeated his close friend Megawati Soekarnoputri in the presidential election held on Oct. 20. The following day, Megawati was elected to the vice presidential post. (har/edt)