Fomer President Wahid prepared to return

"I am ready (to run) if I am given the order by the elders. They number five, but I will not mention names," Wahid, who is better known as Gus Dur, was quoted by AFP as saying on the NU website.

He said that one ulema had already asked him to make another presidential bid.

As a former NU chairman and head of its board of patrons, as well as a senior leader in his National Awakening Party, Wahid's announcement means it is highly likely he will be nominated by the party for the leadership.

Wahid, 67, a moderate religious scholar who was criticised while in office for his erratic leadership style, said he had ideas to address the challenges facing the world's most populous Muslim nation, but did not elaborate.

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