Suryadharma Leaves Decision on Dandidate Declaration to Congress

Bandung, W Java (Antara) - United Development Party (PPP) General Chairman Suryadharma Ali said it is up to the delegates at the ongoing PPP National Working Congress to determine whether to declare its presidential candidate during the current meeting. "I will respect whatever is decided at the PPP National Working Meeting," Suryadharma Ali said on the sidelines of the Second National Meeting of PPP here on Saturday. The agreement on whether the declaration on PPP presidential candidate would occur at the current meeting will be made after PPP's Regional Branches (DPW) hold a hearing. "The agreement will be made tonight," the PPP general chairman said. It was reported earlier this month that the PPP planned to announce its presidential candidate at the end of its national working congress, to be held February 7 and 8, 2014. Also, Suryadharma Ali said in Semarang, Central Java, recently that the party's presidential candidate will be announced on February 9, 2014, after the national working congress concludes. The meeting will be convened to mainly discuss the party's presidential candidate and preparations for the upcoming 2014 general elections on April 9. Suryadharma Ali, who is also the Minister of Religious Affairs, said he did not know whether he would be nominated for the presidency after the meeting. "In principle, I have no idea about it. But almost every day, some people, including ulemas and social figures, advise me to run for the presidency," he claimed. (*)