"Surely, this support could increase votes for Subainto-Sandi pair. Ties between Subinato and prominent ulemas are not new, but they have dated back to tens of years ago," Zon, concurrently Deputy House Speaker, stated here on Thursday.
Subianto and his running mate Sandiaga Uno are very pleased with the support of descendants of NU`s founders, such as KH Hasyim Asyari, KH Wahab Abdullah, and KH Bisri Syansuri, he noted.
The support was conveyed personally at Subianto`s residence in Jakarta on Wednesday evening (Nov 28).
They are influential among the community, particularly in their home towns, he added.
"Subianto has sound relations with Nahdliyin (NU members), Muhammadiyah, Persis, Nahdlatul Wathan, and the Indonesian Council for Preaching (DDI)," he remarked.
Tens of grandchildren of the NU`s founders who met Subianto included Gus Irfan, a grandson of KH Hasyim Asyari; KH Hasib Wahab, a grandson of KH Wahab Abdullah; and KH Hasyim Karim, a grandson of KH Bisri Syansuri.
Meanwhile, earlier on Wednesday (Nov 28), two descendants of the late general Soedirman, the first Great Commander of Indonesia who had led Indonesians in the fight for the country`s independence, declared their support for Subianto.
Nining Tejaningsih Soedirman and Tisa Budiakso Soedirman, granddaughter and great granddaughter of Soedirman, respectively, expressed their support during an event called "Prabowo Greets Yogyakarta People" attended by thousands of volunteers in Yogyakarta on Wednesday.
"Mr Subianto, lets hold hands to regain the sovereignty of the Unitary State of the Republic Indonesia," Budiakso Soedirman remarked.
Subianto expressed his gratitude for the support of the Great General Soedirman`s descendants
"We must fight together. Together, we will materialize Indonesia, which is just and prosperous, for the future of our children and grandchildren," the presidential candidate pointed out.
Indonesia will hold simultaneous presidential and legislative elections on April 17, 2019.
The presidential race will be a repeat of the 2014 elections wherein incumbent Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Subianto are set to go head-to-head.
Reporting by Imam Budilaksono, Syaiful Hakim, Fardah Assegaf
Editing by Suharto
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
