Muhammad “Odi” Rodli Kaelani, the first cadre coming not from Java has been mandated to lead Indonesian Muslim Students Movement (PMII). The prospective cadre supported by Manado’s PMII Branch Board, North Sulawesi was scored a resounding win in a tight race in Batam, Riau Islands, Monday (24/3). He would be commander in chief for the PMII for the period 2008-2010.
Odi enjoyed a narrow lead by defeating other candidates at the PMII’s 16th Congress. He won with 91 votes from total 202. while his two strongest competitors, namely Abdul Hakam (Purwokerto) won with 63 votes and Dwi Satya Nugraha won with 47.&l<>t;br />
Odi may have benefited from Hasanuddin Wahid’s resignation from the race and big coalition with other candidates can no longer continue to the second round; they were Muhammad Afifuddin, Mahbub Zaki, and Munir.
What is interesting to note here is that Wahid’s resignation from his nomination though he could continue to the second round with 28 votes. Odi’s chance would be more powerful for all Wahid’s supporters would reportedly vote for him.
While Chairman of the East Java’s PMII Branch Coordinating Board Badrut Tamam said that Odi’s victorious momentum was a win of all congress participants. Odi won because in the second round he was evenly chosen by regional representatives.
Those who had ever led the PMII were Mahbub Junaidi, M Zamroni, Abduh Paddare, Ahmad Bagdja, Muhyiddin Arubusman, Ikbal Assegaf, Ali Masykur Musa, Muhaimin Iskandar, Syaiful Bahri, Nusron Wahid, A Malik Haramain and Hery Haryanto Azumi. (rif)