Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has been receptive to inputs given by "kiais," or Islamic clerics, expressing their support to Muhaimin Iskandar, National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairman as a vice presidential candidate, Hasto Kristiyanto stated.

"Yes, we see a recommendation as a normal thing and part of the aspirations. We believe Mr Jokowi will listen to those inputs," Kristiyanto, secretary general of the ruling Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, noted here, Sunday.

According to Kristiyanto, Jokowi had sought inputs from all parties, so he issued decisions only after deep contemplation, mature consideration, and attention to every input received.

Kristiyanto also believed that all chairmen of political parties joining the ruling party`s coalition will endorse any one to be chosen as Jokowi`s running mate in next year`s presidential election, as the selection is being conducted transparently and clearly.

During a closed-door meeting with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Chairman Said Aqil Siroj at the NU Headquarters here, Saturday evening, 95 "kiais" had urged NU to suggest to Jokowi to choose Muhaimin Iskandar as his vice presidential candidate.

Anwar Iskandar, spokesman of the kiais, remarked that Muhaimin Iskandar should become the vice presidential candidate to represent NU.

There will be a golden opportunity to further develop and promote NU if Muhaimin Iskandar becomes a running mate of Jokowi, Iskandar stated.

He expressed hope that Siroj would voice the aspirations of all NU and community members throughout the country to vote for President Joko Widodo.

PKB Deputy Secretary General Jazilul Fawaid noted when contacted from Jakarta on Sunday that the kiais, who had met with Siroj, included Nurul Huda Jazuli, leader of the Pondok Pesantren Al Falah or Alfalah Islamic Boarding School, Ploso Mojo Kediri; Miftahul Achyar, deputy chairman of NU`s legal advisory board; and Anwar Iskandar, Pondok Pesantren Al Amin leader of Kediri.

Najib Abdul Qodir, leader of Huffadh Pondok Pesantren Al Munawwir Krapyak Yogyakarta; Subchan Al Mubarok, leader of Pondok Pesantren Perut Bumi Maulana Maghribi, Tuban Jawa Timur; Marzuki Mustamar, chairman of NU for East Java; and Gus Ali Shodiqin or Gus Ali Gondrong, leader of Pondok Pesantren Roudlotun Ni`mah, Semarang, also attended the meeting.

Fawaid, who is also a member of the House of Representatives` Commission III, said Muslim clerics had met Siroj to share the same views and mission regarding support for an NU cadre to become a vice presidential candidate.

Reported by Dyah Dwi A
Edited by Fardah, Rahmad Nasution

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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