Jakarta – The National Awakening Party (PKB) is gathering public support in its ambitious goal of winning 65 percent of the vote in the 2009 legislative elections.

"We must be optimistic about winning 65 percent of the vote in the legislative elections," PKB leader Muhaimin Iskandar told a seminar jointly organized by the Constitutional Court on Friday.

PKB's aim far exceeds that of the Golkar Party, which has set a target of securing 30 percent of the vote, up from its 2004 result which saw it top all other parties.

Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, chief patron of the PKB, told the same seminar the party would rely on its Islamic and nationalist characteristics to realize its election goal.

"They can woo many new voters during religious events," Gus Dur said. PKB collected the third highest number of votes in 2004, but finished only fifth in the number of legislative seats.