LATUPATY ASSEMBLY EXPRESSES MORAL SUPPORT FOR JK-WIN PAIR

Jakarta, June 18 (ANTARA) - The Latupaty Abdulla Malawat Assembly which groups 854 local kings in Maluku has expressed its moral support for the Jusuf Kalla-Wiranto ticket in the upcoming presidential race.

"We ,the Latupaty Assembly, are not involved in politics but morally support presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla because he is our 'Upu Latu Mel Maluku' (great king)," Abdulla Malawat, chairman of the organization, said after meeting Jusuf Kalla here on Thursday.

In the meeting, Malawat, who was accompanied by several members of the assembly, conveyed an invitation to Kalla to visit Maluku in his capacity as vice president.

He said the assembly's members were free to choose any presidential candidates.

"But, Jusuf Kalla has close ties with us," he said.

Kalla had significantly contributed to peace building and economic development in Maluku, he said.

"Every body has contributed to peace in Maluku but Jusuf Kalla has played a bigger role," he said.

Therefore, it would not be an exaggeration if the Maluku people want to express gratitude to Kalla, he said.

In economic development in Maluku, he said, Kalla had encouraged seaweed cultivation in the province.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla was scheduled to visit Maluku on June 29, 2009.

Kalla held a a campaign dialog in Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan, on Wednesday (June 17).

The General Elections Commission (KPU) has set schedules for closed-door campaigning from June 2 to 10, and mass rallies from June 11 to July 4, 2009. The presidential elections will be held on July 8, 2009.

Jusuf Kalla and Wiranto are competing with other candidates, namely incumbent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who pairs with Boediono, an economist, as well as with former president Megawati Soekarnoputri and retired general Prabowo in the upcoming presidential race.