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he Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle'€™s (PDI-P) presidential hopeful, andJakarta governor, Joko "Jokowi" Widodo, has appointed former minister,and chairwoman of  Indonesia's largestIslamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)'€™s women organization, Khofifah IndarParawansa, as a spokesperson.

Jokowi revealed that he had formally requested Khofifah to assist him in theupcoming presidential election during a visit to the latter's residence inSurabaya, East Java, on Saturday.

"I met her [Khofifah] last week to help me as an old friend. She agreed todo it. So now she is a spokesperson for Jokowi," Jokowi told members ofthe NU's women's branch in Surabaya who gathered at Khofifah's house to welcomeJokowi.

Jokowi later listened to insights from locals regarding several issues such aseducation.

When asked details about her job as spokesperson, Khofifah said that she would helpdisseminate information about Jokowi as well as his programs to local voters.

"Many people might not have the chance to directly meet him and thus he needsa spokesperson to help respond to such people. God willing I am ready to doit," Khofifah said.

Khofifah added that Jokowi might have other spokespeople with different formsof expertise, ranging from the economy to education.(dic)