Negotiations between the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and representatives for President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono about the nomination of Boediono as the vice-presidential candidate hit another wall Thursday, with the Islamic party questioning the Bank Indonesia governor's faith in Islam.

The fact Boediono is a Muslim who regularly attends Friday prayers at Bank Indonesia’s mosque was not enough to consider him a devout Muslim, claimed PKS president Tifatul Sembiring.

“Boediono has never been seen speaking to the Muslim masses. What our constituents see him as is a ‘nationalist’, which is not a proper representation of Islam,” he told a news conference after the closed-door meeting.

Tifatul said as SBY already represented the “nationalist” image, his running mate for the July 8 presidential election should represent “Islam” or “the ummah”.

Tifatul led the PKS representatives, including party secretary general Anis Matta and its House of Representatives faction chairman Mahfudz Siddiq, in the meeting with  SBY's aides — Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi, State Secretary Hatta Radjasa and Democratic Party (PD) leader Hadi Utomo.

“SBY’s representatives explained his reasons for Boediono’s nomination. One spokesman said the President considers Boediono a man capable of overcoming troubled times during the global financial crisis,” Tifatul said.

Tifatul said as the talks reached a deadlock Thursday, the PKS will now meet the President directly Friday to determine the party's final stance on whether it will remain allied with SBY's PD for the presidential race.

“A combination of a nationalist and 'Ummah' representative is essential. A Javanese and non-Javanese combination is also very important and that is why it SBY should choose a non-Javanese running mate as well.”

Tifatul said the PKS submitted three names to SBY’s aides for consideration as the vice-presidential candidate.

“The first name came from PKS. If SBY had a problem with our suggestion, we proposed a second name from one of the other parties in our coalition. Finally we also nominated a non-partisan professional who we believed was a proper representation for the ummah.”

Tifatul refused to reveal the alternative candidates' names, citing ethical reasons.

Separately, senior PD executive Syarief Hassan said the decision on Boediono's nomination was

"final".

The PKS was the first party to pledge allegiance to the PD for the July election. Three other Islamic-based parties — the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the United Development Party (PPP) — then followed suit.

However, both the PKS and PAN threatened to quit the coalition with PD in protest against Boediono's vice-presidential nomination. (hdt)

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