Analyst says Abdurrahman `too political'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A political analyst said yesterday he supports
\nthe recent outpouring of criticism against the current leadership
\nof Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Moslem organization,
\nfor its over-involvement in politics.<\/p>\n
Syamsuddin Haris, a staff researcher at the Indonesian
\nInstitute of Sciences (LIPI), said that NU's charismatic chairman
\nAbdurrahman Wahid "talks too much" and runs the risk of
\nalienating his followers.<\/p>\n
"I agree with his critics, Abdurrahman has too much to say
\nabout politics ... he is confusing his followers," Syamsuddin
\ntold The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Syamsuddin suggested that Abdurrahman refrain from seeking
\nanother term at the organization's helm so that NU may be able to
\nreally commit itself to its 1984 khittah (pledge) to shun
\npolitics and concentrate on educational and social affairs.<\/p>\n
"Not that Abdurrahman's resignation would immediately improve
\nNU's performance, but it would help the organization," he said,
\nadding that NU should also revamp its structure in such a way to
\nallow it to have a more unified line of command.<\/p>\n
During the last two weeks, as NU gears up toward its national
\ncongress next month, criticism came hard and fast against
\nAbdurrahman, creating the impression of a deepening rift within.<\/p>\n
Slamet Effendy Yusuf, chairman of Anshor Youth Movement -- an
\norganization under NU -- said Abdurrahman's leadership has been
\nmarked with politicking, a clear violation of the khittah.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman and other NU leaders, according to Slamet, have
\nfailed the organization and were guilty of "issuing harsh
\npolitical statements which were confusing the NU followers".<\/p>\n
"NU should avoid being pulled into politics," said Slamet,
\nhimself a politician from the ruling Golkar functional group
\nafter deserting the Moslem-based United Development Party (PPP)
\nin the 1980s.<\/p>\n
Another criticism against NU and chairman Abdurrahman came
\nfrom Chalid Mawardi, member of the Supreme Advisory Board as well
\nas an NU member. He called NU a "publicity junkie" and "acting
\nlike a beautiful girl, who becomes angry whenever people don't
\npay attention to her, and starts making sharp statements in order
\nto attract attention".<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman denied the accusation that NU under his leadership
\nhad disregarded the khittah, pointing out that during the last
\ndecade, NU has continuously managed thousands of schools,
\nmaternity clinics, Islamic study groups as well as mosques
\nthroughout Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"Those who accused NU of abandoning its real mission are a
\nbunch of frustrated people who couldn't get what they wanted," he
\nretaliated. "Slamet Effendy Yusuf and Chalid Mawardi made all
\nthose accusations because congress time is nearer, and they want
\nsomething out of it."<\/p>\n
Despite the criticism against Abdurrahman's leadership, a
\nnumber of NU members have publicly displayed loyalty and support
\nfor the grandson of the founder of NU, the late K.H. Wahid
\nHasyim.<\/p>\n
The Antara news agency reported yesterday that NU leaders in
\nits stronghold of East Java branch have hinted that they would
\nsupport Abdurrahman if he sought another term.<\/p>\n
K.H. Imam Sughro Wardi and Abdul Wahid from NU's office in
\nBlitar regency said they had yet to pick candidates for the NU
\nchairmanship election in Tasikmalaya, West Java, next month, but
\nthat there was a common understanding that they would ask
\nAbdurrahman to run.<\/p>\n
H. Fakih Usman from Mojokerto regency agreed, adding that "as
\nlong as we don't have figures as capable of Abdurrahman, then we
\nhope he would agree to lead NU again".<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, who is currently Rois Aam Tanfidziyah (chairman
\nof the executive board), said repeatedly over the last two years
\nthat he had no intention of seeking another term. He modestly
\ndeclined when a number of NU members recently asked him to run
\nfor the position of Rois Aam Syuriyah (chairman of the law-making
\nbody), saying he did not deserve such a reverential post.<\/p>\n
"Let's respect that post, because it's a position which
\nrequires high moral standards and vast religious knowledge," he
\ntold Terbit daily Tuesday. "I don't meet those requirements."<\/p>\n
NU leaders at the East Java provincial level, K.H. Imron
\nHamzah and Fuad Anwar, refrained from expressing their stance
\nover the issue of Abdurrahman's chairmanship. Instead, they said
\nthey would first hold three plenary meetings to formulate the
\nbranch's positions, including naming their candidates for
\nchairman.<\/p>\n
Despite his call that Abdurrahman refrain from seeking a fresh
\nterm, Syamsuddin believed that it is likely that Abdurrahman
\nwould be reappointed.<\/p>\n
"He still has the legitimacy to lead the organization for
\nanother term, at least from the fact that he is the grandson of
\nNU's founder " Syamsuddin said. "He still has a strong base and
\nthe support of NU's traditional followers, those who are not
\ninvolved in politics." (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/analyst-says-abdurrahman-too-political-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}