Ma`ruf Amin One of Candidates for Jokowi Running Mate, says PPP

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) general chairman Ma’ruf Amin was said as one of the ten names listed by Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo as the vice presidential candidate.

“Ma’ruf Amin is one of the alternatives to embrace all interest group,” said the United Development Party (PPP) Chairman M Romahurmuziy today at Jakarta.

Romahurmuziy –better known as Romi– considered Ma’ruf Amin as a complete figure who would certainly be accepted by all groups. “He was the highest leader of Nadhlatul Ulama [biggest Islamic organization in Indonesia] as the chairman, he is accepted by all Islamic organizations because he is also MUI chairman, and mediator of 212 group,” he said.

In addition, Romi said, Ma’ruf Amin mastered in the economy as he was a professor of Islamic economy (muamalat syariah) at State Islamic University (UIN) Maulana Malik Ibrahim and adviser of Ekonomi Syariah Nasional (National Islamic Economy). “He has broad experience as he used to be a member of the House from PPP or PKB,” he added.

Earlier, Romi revealed that Jokowi had pocketed ten names for the vice presidential candidate. However, he reluctant to mention the names as well as the possibility of him listed in it.

According to Romi, the names were from scholars, Military or Police retiree, technocrats, and professionals. The names, he mentioned, would be discussed with the coalition parties.

“We are planning to make a schedule to meet between leaders of political parties with Pak Jokowi for the talks. The meeting will also assure the final coalition whether it still consists of five parties or more,” said Romi at PPP office, Menteng, Central Jakarta, on Monday, July 9.

ANTARA