Gus Dur campaigns for Anwar Ibrahim

Jakarta, NU Online
Former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid held a press conference at the office of the People's Justice Party to give is support to Anwar Ibrahim who is trying to re-enter Parliament through a by-election.

"My position is clear, I'm supporting Anwar Ibrahim because I have known him for a long time." he was quoted by Antara as saying.<>

Anwar is contesting a by-election at the Permatang Pauh constituency in northern Malaysia following his wife's resignation of her parliamentary seat to enable him to regain political office.

The Permatang Pauh constituency has been Anwar's stronghold for early three decades, making it the easiest seat for him to win in his effort to re-enter Parliament and become prime minister if he opposition seizes power.

Anwar's main obstacle is an accusation that he sodomized a 23-year-old man. Anwar insists the accusation by his former aide was concocted to thwart his political moves. The government has denied any conspiracy.

Gus Dur also said that he did not believe that Anwar committed sodomy. "I know Anwar. I don't believe he did that. This is only a political maneuver from the power holder to block his political career."

At the end of the press conference, the People's Justice Party vice president Syed Husin said he prayed that Gus Dur would win next year's presidential election in Indonesia. (dar)