East Java wants Gus Dur to retain NU top position<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): East Java yesterday also announced its support
\nfor the re-election of Abdurrahman Wahid, who hopes to stay at
\nthe helm of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) when Indonesia's largest
\nMoslem organization elects its leaders at a congress next week.<\/p>\n
The latest endorsement from East Java, which will represent
\nthe largest contingent at the (NU) congress to be held in
\nTasikmalaya, West Java, next week, virtually seals the reelection
\nof Abdurrahman, popularly known as Gus Dur.<\/p>\n
The Dec. 1-5 congress is to be opened by President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
The East Java chapter of NU announced its position after a
\nmeeting of the leaders of 38 of the 42 branches in the province
\nin Surabaya, the Antara news agency reported.<\/p>\n
At the meeting, Gus Dur received 37 out of 38 possible votes
\nfor the position of chairman of NU executive board while Sahal
\nMahfud received 30 out of 38 possible for the chairman of the NU
\npolicy making board position.<\/p>\n
Hierarchically speaking the policy making board is higher but
\nthe chairman position of the executive board is more prominent.
\nThis at least has been true during leadership of Gus Dur, a
\ncontroversial political figure who has been at the helm since
\n1984.<\/p>\n
From Mataram, Antara reported that the West Nusa Tenggara
\nchapter yesterday also declared its support for Gus Dur.<\/p>\n
\"We're nominating Gus Dur because of his leadership qualities
\nand his extensive knowledge,\" West Nusa Tenggara chapter acting
\nchairman Bil'id said.<\/p>\n
Earlier, Gus Dur had already won the endorsement from the West
\nJava and Central Java chapters and it now looks almost certain
\nthat he would be reelected.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur himself has stated his readiness to stay at the helm
\nshould that be the wish of the congress. A highly charismatic
\nfigure within NU, he had often come in conflict with the
\ngovernment and other Moslem leaders. Along with other
\nintellectuals, he established the Forum for Democracy which never
\nhesitated in criticizing the government.<\/p>\n
Israel's visit<\/p>\n
His latest stunt was his visit to Israel and a meeting with a
\nsenior Israeli foreign ministry official. Upon his return, he
\nsuggested that Indonesia establish diplomatic ties with Israel
\nnow that Jordan, Egypt and Syria have opened ties with their once
\narch enemy.<\/p>\n
His trip and his suggestion were rebuked by government
\nofficials and Moslem leaders but surprisingly it did not dent his
\nreelection chances.<\/p>\n
NU leaders last week summoned Gus Dur to give an explanation
\nabout his Israeli trip. Later they announced they were satisfied
\nthat his trip and his recommendation were made in his capacity as
\na Moslem scholar and had nothing to do with his NU leadership.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur had been widely commended for pulling NU out of party
\npolitics and returning it to its original mission, set out when
\nit was founded in 1926, which is to promote the education and
\nwelfare of Moslems in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"One of the reasons why East Java is united in supporting Gus
\nDur is his ability to defend the Khittah (return to the spirit
\nof) 1926 in the face of pressures from left and right,\" said
\nHasyim Muzadi, chairman of NU's chapter in East Java.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, he is quite democratic and does not show any
\nambition to remain chairman,\" he was quoted by Antara as saying.
\n(emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/east-java-wants-gus-dur-to-retain-nu-top-position-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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