"Dangdut king" now a presidential candidate in Indonesia

December 17, 2013

5 Comments | Print | Email |

Reset Text smaller

JAKARTA, Indonesia – National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar has announced that Indonesian dangdut singer Rhoma Irama would be its presidential candidate, Tempo reported Monday (December 16th).

According to Muhaimin, the famous singer is suitable to become Indonesia's next president because he has good intentions to develop the country.

"Just listen to his lyrics; they could enlighten the whole nation!" Muhaimin said Sunday while inaugurating the "Rhoma Irama for President" election commission in Jakarta.

During a Saturday rally outside his new election headquarters on Jalan Dewi Sartika, in Cawang, East Jakarta, Rhoma, who wore a PKB green batik shirt, sang his hit song "Hak Asasi," ("Rights"), according to the Indonesian news portal Liputan6.

Do you like this article?

Reader Comments

CLICK HERE to Add a Comment

- aceh
  
  December 31, 2013 @ 11:12:31PM
- I think that whoever becomes president should prioritize faith over desire.
- erick
  
  December 24, 2013 @ 08:12:32PM
- Mr. Rhoma is now the King of Dangdut, what else does he want to be king of? If he becomes the president of this country, we will become the Kingdom of Dangdut.
- hotman sinaga
  
  December 19, 2013 @ 10:12:15PM
- Parties should not only think about getting votes in elections but consider the ability and capacity of someone to lead a nation.
- m. soleh
  
  December 18, 2013 @ 01:12:08AM
- Hopefully it be able to bring enlightenment to the Indonesian nation in the future.
- soleman kalebu
  
  December 17, 2013 @ 07:12:04AM
- They should just deal with dangdut singers.

Add A Comment (Comments Policy)* denotes required field

Anti-terrorist troops take part in a September 2013 exercise at the Indonesia Peace and Security Centre in Sentul, West Java. As part of its operations, the centre now houses convicted terrorists being de-radicalised. [Bay Ismoyo/AFP]

Indonesia relocates convicted terrorists

Scores of incarcerated radicals are being concentrated at one facility, where they will enter a de-radicalisation programme.

As-Siddeek Islamic Co-operative Limited Financial officer Sulaiman Oromlong (right) with customer Suwanna Laetha (left) and a teller at AIC's main branch in Hat Yai. [Somchai Huasaikul/Khabar]

Thailand: Muslim savings and loans co-ops becoming popular

Service allows for investment while still obeying sharia.

A man identifying himself as Abu Muhammad al-Indonesi (the Indonesian), left, appearsin an ISIL propaganda video published July 23rd on YouTube. His words, spoken in Bahasa, scroll as English subtitles at the bottom of the frame. [YouTube]

Indonesia bans ISIL

Indonesia warns its nationals that those who support the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) could lose their citizenship.

Spotlight

A child waves the black ISIL flag during a propaganda event in al-Raqa, Syria. Residents said the group brainwashed children with toys and lectures. [Photo courtesy of Mahmoud al-Amin]

Al-Baghdadi's sermon shows ignorance of Islam, clerics say

Education is being gutted and women forced into "sex jihad" in ISIL-controlled areas, residents say.

Poll

A caliph is freely chosen by Muslims everywhere for his wisdom and spiritual qualifications. The ISIL leader's proclamation of himself as caliph over all Muslims violates the principles of Islam.

Photo Essay

Worshippers read from the Qur'an at Jakarta's Istiqlal Grand Mosque on May 4th, as part of

Hardliners threaten tolerance in Indonesia

Indonesia's tradition of moderate, tolerant Islam is under threat by hard-line groups who are imposing their conservative views on others and intimidating religious minorities.