Hamzah Haz Becomes Presidential Candidate in 2004 Elections, Partnering with Agum Gumelar

JAKARTA – 9th Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Hamzah Haz was once a Presidential Candidate (Capres) in the 2004 Election. The charismatic PPP politician partnered with the Minister of Transportation Agum Gumelar as his Vice Presidential Candidate (Cawapres).

The Hamzah Haz-Agum Gumelar pair received ballot number 5. The pair supported by the PPP is up against the Wiranto-Salahuddin Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri-Hasyim Muzadi, Amien Rais-Siswono Yudo Husodo, and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)-Jusuf Kalla (JK) pairs.

Unfortunately, the Hamzah Haz-Agum Gumelar duet only won 3.01 votes. The 2004 election was held in two rounds, with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY)-Jusuf Kalla (JK) winning 60.62% of the votes and Megawati-Hasyim winning 39.38% of the votes. Thus, SBY-JK became President and Vice President for the 2004-2009 period.

That was Hamzah Haz’s memory when he was a presidential candidate in the 2004 election. Now, Hamzah Haz has passed away forever. The PPP General Chairman passed away today, Wednesday (24/7/2024). He died at the age of 84.

It is known that Hamzah Haz was once Vice President accompanying the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, who served for the 2001-2004 period.

Before serving as Vice President, Hamzah Haz was in President BJ Habibie’s cabinet as Minister of State for Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM). He was also Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives for the 1999-2004 period.

In the era of President KH Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur, Hamzah Haz was asked to join to serve as Coordinating Minister for People’s Welfare and Poverty Alleviation.

(jon)