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Malang. The National Awakening Party’s branch here is giving the benefit of the doubt to dangdut singer and businesswoman Inul Daratista. Party officials said on Friday that they would extend their application deadline to allow her to file as a party candidate in the race for Malang district head.

HM Sanusi, chairman of Malang branch of the party, known as PKB, said that though the application period ended on March 7, the party would grant Inul a special extension. Sanusi currently serves as deputy speaker of the Malang Regional Representatives Council. The party is slated to forward applications to the Malang General Elections Commission in May. “This is the desire of most members of PKB in Malang,” he said. “So we can grant an extension for her.”

He said that only one other person, Dicky Sulaiman, had applied for the candidacy.

“People know Inul better,” he said. “We will accept her because we are an open-minded party.”

He said that if the singer is serious about applying, they would consult with the East Java office to conduct a fit-and-proper test.

Sanusi said the Malang branch did not doubt Inul’s capacity to run for district head. He said he understood the objections of those who think she is only skilled as a singer and not capable of running for government, but the party has faith in her.

He said a team would work with her and help with the campaign. He said management skills were the most important factor in government leadership.

He compared Inul to the current district head, Sujud, whose education background was not advanced, but is still capable of leading Malang.

Sanusi said he had not yet been in contact with Inul, but the singer had stated previously that she would not declare her candidacy unless the party asked her to run.

He said anyone could run as a district head candidate for the PKB if they received a recommendation from the party’s provincial and central headquarters.

Inul, who was born with the name Ainur Rohima, rose to fame in 2003 with her signature gyrations known as “the drill.” She became an overnight sensation and was given her own show on national television.

Inul’s career was marred when a number of senior dangdut singers turned against her and deemed her suggestive dancing to be a form of pornography. She was banned from performing in several cities and her shows sparked protests from hard-line Muslim groups.

However, many of her fans united and held support rallies at the Hotel Indonesia traffic circle where they staged a mass gyration dance, which was later nicknamed “Goyang Inul.”