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Muhammadiyah, NU declare support for Agus
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Staying firm -- Sylviana Murni (right) answers questions during the second official debate in the Jakarta gubernatorial election on Jan. 27. (Antara/Hafidz Mubarak A.)
S
ixty Islamic mass organizations have pledged their support for Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono and his running mate Sylviana Murni.
Alongside 48 Islamic groups joining with the Jakarta chapter of the Communication Forum for Islamic Propagation Organizations (FKLD DKI Jakarta), which includes Indonesia’s two largest Muslim organizations, Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), 12 other Muslim groups promised on Saturday that they would support and do their utmost to help Agus win the election.
Tjuandi, the deputy chairman of Muhammadiyah’s Jakarta chapter, and Maisaroh Ali, the chairwoman of the Jakarta branch of Aisyiyah, Muhammadiyah's female wing, attended the declaration of support at Agus’ campaign headquarters in Menteng, Central Jakarta.
Tjuandi, who also serves as the FKLD DKI Jakarta presidium board chairman, claimed that his signature in the declaration showed “the official stance” of Muhammadiyah on the Jakarta election.
(Read also: Democratic Party doubts fairness, neutrality of 2017 Jakarta election)
Echoing him, Maisaroh said “Muhammadiyah backs Agus-Sylviana in the Jakarta gubernatorial election.”
Hatta Rajasa, known as an ally of Agus' father, former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was present at the event, which was also attended by Sylviana.
The deputy chairman of NU’s Jakarta chapter, Munahar Muchtar, delivered a prayer at the event. He could not be reached for a comment.
Munahar is known for supporting last year’s large-scale Muslim rallies calling for the imprisonment of incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama. (ebf)
