Zulkifli's Nomination Based On Inputs From SBY - Hatta

Jakarta, Oct 8 (Antara) - Zulkifli Hasan`s nomination was the outcome of talks held between the Democrat Party and National Mandate Party (PAN), stated Drajat Wibowo, the deputy general chairman of PAN. "His (Zulkifli Hasan`s) selection as the chairman of the People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR) for the period of 2014-2019 followed talks between the general chairmen of the Democrat Party (President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) and PAN (Hatta Rajasa) on Tuesday night," Drajat noted in a text message to newsmen here on Wednesday. He remarked that the two party leaders jointly agreed that the post of MPR speaker must be held by an experienced figure who has proven qualities and is widely accepted. Drajat stated after the two party leaders decided to nominate Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan, they then directly informed the other leaders of the political parties grouped in the Red-White coalition (KMP). "Hatta Rajasa informed the other party leaders in the KMP at around 9 p.m. local time, on Tuesday, and they all agreed to it," he noted, adding that PAN`s advisory board Chairman Amien Rais also seconded the decision. "No one in the KMP raised any objection as the general chairman of the Democrat Party had earlier expressed his agreement to the change," he pointed out. It was earlier rumored that the post of MPR speaker would be given to a Democrat Party cadre. Zulkifli Hasan was elected as the MPR speaker following a vote on two nomination packages for the MPR leadership early on Wednesday morning. Zulkifli was part of Package B along with Mahyudin from the Golkar Party, E.E. Mangindaan from the Democrat Party, Hidayat Nur Wahid from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), and Oesman Sapta from the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). In the meantime, Package A comprised Oesman Sapta as the chairman, accompanied by Ahmad Basarah from the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), Imam Nachrawi from the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), Patrice Rio Capella from the National Democrat Party (Nasdem), and Hasrul Azwar from the United Development Party (PPP). Package B was endorsed by the political parties grouped in the Red-White coalition led by Prabowo Subianto, which comprised his Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), Golkar Party, PKS, the United Development Party (PPP), and PAN. The coalition was formed following Prabowo Subianto`s defeat in the presidential election on July 9. In the meantime, Package A was proposed by the Great Indonesia coalition led by PDIP, which is President-elect Joko Widodo`s party.