JAKARTA ~ Indonesian former schoolmates of US presidential hopeful Barrack Obama have formed a fan club, local media reported.

A group of up to 20 old friends of the Democratic frontrunner formed the club in a meeting at the weekend in Jakarta to support Obama, whom they fondly remember as Barry, one of the founding members, who identified himself only as Arbi, reportedly said.

“The plan to form the club has been around for a while,” Akhmad Solikhin, deputy headmaster of the SDN Menteng 1 school in central Jakarta was quoted as saying.

No information was given on activities planned by the club.

Obama was enrolled at the school between 1968 and 1970. He had said Indonesia left a lasting impression on him during his formative years.