JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Hasyim Muzadi, former Chairman of the Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), the largest Muslim organization in the country, has expressed his support to Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Jusuf Kalla, a pair of presidential and vice presidential candidates backed by PDI-P’s coalition.
Hasyim, however, explained that it is a personal support as he wants NU to remain neutral during the presidential election.
Hasyim, who ran as running mate of PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri in 2004 election, opts to do the same thing as did by other NU leaders who have previously used NU as institution on campaigning presidential and vice presidential pair candidates.
As reported earlier, several NU leaders have openly expressed their supports to either Jokowi-Kalla or Prabowo Subianto-Hatta Rajasa.
Latest, NU Chairman Said Aqil Siradj officially declared his support for Prabowo-Hatta, backed by Gerindra’s coalition. Said, however, also stated that NU members are free to support their favorite presidential pair candidate.
The presidential election itself is scheduled to be held on July 9, 2014, where Jokowi-Kalla and Prabowo-Hatta will compete on the race. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)