Three parties name presidential candidates

JAKARTA (JP): Two political parties tested the waters on Friday, naming lesser known presidential candidates.

The Justice Party named Didin Hafidhuddin, a Muslim scholar, as their presidential candidate. The Islamic People's Party (PUI) named its chairman, political scientist Deliar Noer, while another party, the Indonesian United Islam Party (PSII) named President B.J. Habibie.

PSII secretary-general Amaruddin Djajasubita said, "So far we do not have any other candidates."

Justice Party chairman Nur Mahmudi Ismail said on Friday that Didin was selected from 12 names proposed for the presidency. Didin, like the Justice Party, is new to the national scene.

"He (Didin) fits the criteria set during the party's national meeting for a presidential candidate... he is a moralist, a democrat, a patriot, truly committed to reform, independent and young," Nur said.

The nominee must also be free from any links to past powers, either from the Old Order or the New Order, he added.

Didin, an alumni of the Bogor Agricultural Institute, is currently taking his doctoral degree at the State Institute of Islamic Studies Syarif Hidayatullah in Jakarta.

"His activities as a preacher, professor and scholar are a very good combination. He may not be popular but he has the qualities of a leader; we all agree on this," Nur added.

Didin, a dean in the department of Islamic studies at Ibnu Chaldun University in Bogor, stated his wish to reform all state institutions, including the legislature, the executive and the judicial system.

"My priority is to activate the true functions of these institutions and for us to have a better legal system to run this country."

In response to the possibility of the party nominating another presidential candidate, such as Habibie, Didin simply replied, "Let's wait and see the results of the next poll."

Political scholar Nurcholish Madjid last month said several Islam-oriented parties would nominate Habibie as their presidential candidate because of his identity as a Muslim intellectual.

The Indonesian United Islam Party (PSII), explaining its nomination of Habibie, told Antara its criteria for the presidency was a person who was a "reformist, master of science and technology, a democrat who respects human rights as well as places the nation's interest above personal benefit".

Separately in Bandung, West Java, the secretary-general of the Islamic People's Party (PUI), Judilherry, said his party would name Deliar Noer president if it wins the upcoming general election. (edt/43)