Devi Asmarani, Jakarta – On paper, Mr Wiranto has the strongest support from the Muslim camp. Given his endorsement by the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), he is likely to enjoy the backing of a large number of followers of the 40-million strong Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), which founded the party.
His campaign strategists believe he could secure at least 12 million votes from the party or NU bloc, thanks to the family influence of running mate Solahuddin Wahid. Mr Solahuddin is the grandson of NU founder Hasyim Ashari.
Mr Solahuddin's older brother, former president Abdurrahman Wahid, was NU's chairman for 15 years and is one of the most influential figures within the organisation. He founded the PKB in 1998 to provide a political vehicle for the organisation. Mr Abdurrahman's role is crucial in mobilising support from among the NU clerics, an important element within the group's social structure.
Last week, prominent NU cleric Abdullah Faqih issued a controversial edict or fatwa that forbade NU followers from voting for a female leader, on religious ground. The edict was clearly aimed at incumbent president Megawati Sukarnoputri, whose running mate is NU's own chairman Hasyim Muzadi.
Since Mr Hasyim's candidacy was announced last month, the NU elite has been divided over who to support. Independent NU sources said it was difficult to see who will emerge with the most support.
One high-ranking NU official said: "Within the NU's elite, support is split 50-50 between supporters of the Megawati-Hasyim pair and the Wiranto-Wahid pair." It was for this reason the edict was dismissed by clerics from Mr Hasyim's camp.
Meanwhile, the Wiranto camp is racing against time in its attempts to woo other Muslim groups. Mr Wiranto was known in the past for being close to non-NU and some hardliner Muslim groups. But his recent statement against the imposition of the syariah may have alienated them.
It will also be tough going for him to compete for these groups against two other candidates – Dr Amien Rais and Mr Hamzah Haz. Mr Wiranto is, in particular, fighting to win over the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) with Dr Amien.
While some PKS leaders are reluctant to join hands with the old guard Golkar, which they would be doing if they endorsed Mr Wiranto, the fact that some members of the ex-general's family are active PKS members is a dilemma. Some of the PKS elite have been lobbying to get the party leadership to endorse Mr Wiranto's candidacy.
Which one it would support in the end would be decided shortly before the July 5 Poll, party officials have said.