Get Advice From Kiai NU East Java About The Vice Presidential Candidate, Anies: Thank You For Thinking

Anies Baswedan/PHOTO presidential candidate: Wardhany Tsa Tsia-VOI

JAKARTA - The presidential candidate from the Coalition for Change Anies Baswedan admitted that he had received recommendations from hundreds of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) kiai in East Java. He appreciated the steps taken by these religious leaders.

"This afternoon I received the recommendation of the names submitted by the kiai in Surabaya and then I accepted it, I thank you for thinking about it," Anies told reporters at Djakarta Theater, Central Jakarta, Thursday, August 10 evening.

He said the suggestion of the name was very meaningful. Because, it's not just choosing someone who can work together but it's called a prayer.

"The kiai and ulama are seriously thinking about this, equiping us with prayers, equiping us with directions, even with our choice," said the former governor of DKI Jakarta.

Even though the names of the kiai have been offered, Anies asked all parties to be patient about his companion figure. He said the name was being discussed.

"We thank you for getting that input. Later it will be announced," said Anies.

As previously reported, around 200 kiai and gus throughout East Java proposed five names of vice presidential candidates who were deemed appropriate to accompany Anies Baswedan. One of the names is Zannuba Ariffah Chafsoh or Yenny Wahid who is the daughter of the 4th President of the Republic of Indonesia Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur.

"After we tabayyun and saw firsthand the haliyah of Mr. Anies, we are sure that Mr. Anies is indeed a person with amaliyah ahlusunnah waljamaah or aswaja. Anies is Minna," said KH Nasirul Mahasin Nursalim in a written statement reported by ANTARA, Thursday, August 10.

Apart from Yenny's name, other names such as Muhaimin Iskandar, Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono, and Mahfud MD also appeared. All of these names were submitted and Anies was invited to choose who matched.