Wahid

October 20, 1999
Web posted at: 5:40 p.m. HKT (0940 GMT)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Nearly blind and in poor health, Abdurrahman Wahid is a revered and moderate Islamic leader who has proven himself one of Indonesia's greatest political survivors.

Through shrewd political maneuvering on Wednesday, he was elected Indonesia's fourth president by a 700-member assembly, heralding a new era of democracy and increasing religion's influence after years of secular, military-backed rule

Commonly known by his nickname, Gus Dur, he heads the 30- million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama, which claims to be the world's largest Islamic organization.

Islam is a potent force in Indonesia. About 90 percent of its 210 million people are Muslim, making it the world's largest Islamic nation.

Promoting tolerance

Wahid, 59, has used his influence as an intellectual and a religious leader to promote sectarian and social tolerance across the sprawling archipelago.

"He presents the sweet face of Islam," said Salim Said, a Jakarta political analyst.

He is the founder of the National Awakening Party, which ran third in historic parliamentary elections last year. As such, he was one of the few leaders whose support was sought by most other players in the presidential race.

Described by supporters as a bridge-builder and kingmaker, some critics accuse him of flip-flopping on policies and allegiances.

"He is very unpredictable," Said commented.

Under the regime of authoritarian President Suharto, who stepped down amid riots last year, Wahid pushed progressive ideas that won him international respect, including strong advocacy for cooperation among religious faiths.

He triggered controversy when he visited Israel several years ago and called for greater dialogue among Islamic countries and the Jewish state.

Wahid has consistently defended Indonesia's Chinese minority, predominantly Christian, against attacks by some hard-line Muslim groups during times of civil unrest.

Skilled politician

Since Suharto's resignation, Wahid has played a major role in the movement for democratic reform. Suharto, like many Indonesians, uses only one name.

At first he threw his support behind opposition frontrunner Megawati Sukarnoputri. But relations soured a few weeks ago, apparently after she failed to promise concessions to his Muslim interests if she became president.

Throughout, he maintained dialogue with President B.J. Habibie and the politically powerful military.

He then announced his candidacy and quickly emerged as a strong contender, saying he needed to run to help foster democracy.

When Habibie withdrew from the race early Wednesday, Wahid cobbled together a formidable alliance among several parties and beat Megawati.

Opponents have questioned his suitability.

Some say he should remain outside politics and would be more useful to the nation as a moral adviser.

Others point to the fact that he has suffered two strokes in recent years and, despite extensive eye surgery in Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States this year, remains almost blind.

Copyright 1999   The Associated Press. All rights reserved