|
 |
|
Abdurrahman
Supporter Now Backs Mega
JAKARTA - A prominent Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cleric and formerly
a strong supporter of ex-president Abdurrahman Wahid has
switched camps and is now throwing his weight behind President
Megawati Sukarnoputri and her running
mate, NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi.
The decision by Mr Abdullah Abbas to make the change to
the Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle was made after
Mr Abdurrahman's disqualification, Cirebon's Buntet Islamic
boarding school spokesman Adib Rofi'uddin said on Monday.
The clerics of the boarding school met to discuss current
political issues, particularly the July 5 presidential election,
and unanimously decided to back the Megawati-Hasyim pairing,
he added.
He said the decision to support Ms Megawati and Mr Hasyim
was taken after a request by a group of West Java NU clerics,
who met in Cirebon on May 18.
He said: 'The pair is expected to be able to accommodate
people's aspirations for the betterment of the nation and
NU members in particular.
'We hope they will uphold the supremacy of the law, democracy
and political stability, and improve the economy.
'Buntet boarding school's extended family supported the
decision.'
Mr Abdullah was among the 31 clerics who met earlier at
Buntet and in Lombok to endorse Mr Abdurrahman's comeback
bid.
Mr Abdurrahman, a former NU chairman, was nominated by the
National Awakening Party, which he co- founded. -- Jakarta
Post/Asia News Network
|
