JK meets with religious organizations

Jakarta, NU Online
Presidential hopeful Jusuf Kalla spent Monday in Jakarta meeting with several religious organizations apparently to show his support on pluralism issues.

Kalla who is also the member of the Advisory Council (Syuriah) of the Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board (PWNU)of South Sulawesi  met with Christian communities at the offices of the Communion of Indonesian Churches (PGI) and the Bishop’s Conference of Indonesia (KWI).<>

Then, in his vice presidential office, Kalla officially opened a national assembly of an islamic organization PP BKMT led by former woman's affairs minister Tutty Alawiyah.

During the occasion, Kalla asked Muslims to use their rights to vote in the July 8 presidential election, in which he is also contesting.

He also met with the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Central Board of Nahdatul Ulama and later with 19 ulemas from eight regencies.

After meeting with the MUI, Kalla defended his statement over Aceh peace following protests from the campaign team of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

“We are talking based on real situation; it is not about whether it is ethical or not,” he said as quoted by kompas.com.

In his campaign in Aceh on Saturday, Kalla said that certain people had taken credit for his effort to bring peace to Aceh. Apparently, he pointed his finger at Yudhoyono.

He said that nobody else dared to take the risk out of fear the peace process would falter, as it had during previous administrations. (dar)