Jakarta, VIVA \u2013 The Secretary General of the Golkar Party, M.\nSarmuji, has invited Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) to distance itself from\ninvolvement in \u2018small politics\u2019 or practical politics, and instead\nstrengthen its role in \u2018big politics\u2019 oriented towards national\ninterests.<\/p>\n
This was stated by Sarmuji during a discussion forum titled \u2018The\nFuture of NU and NU\u2019s Future\u2019, organised by the Talibuana Nusantara\nFoundation in Jakarta on Thursday, 2 July 2026.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether we like it or not, NU is closely linked to politics, very\nclosely. However, as a member of NU who is not part of a party identical\nto NU, I hope that NU\u2019s attachment to small politics is reduced;\nconversely, NU\u2019s involvement in big politics must be further\nstrengthened,\u201d said Sarmuji.<\/p>\n
According to Sarmuji, there is a fundamental difference between small\npolitics and big politics. He illustrated that if, during a presidential\nelection momentum, NU is too busy acting as a campaign team and focusing\non which candidate will win, it means the pull of small politics on NU\nis strengthening.<\/p>\n
Conversely, if NU focuses more on overseeing the quality of elections\nto ensure the people\u2019s voices are accurately reflected, then NU\u2019s\nposition in big politics will become even stronger.<\/p>\n
\u201cNU is certainly better off being involved in big politics, namely\nnational politics, by positioning itself as a civil society that can\nadvise the state. This is what is currently very lacking: a civil\nsociety capable of advising the state, especially advising in a calm and\ngentle manner, consistent with the NU tradition,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Sarmuji emphasised the importance of using gentle and subtle methods\nwhen delivering advice to the state, as hardline approaches are deemed\nunproductive. He alluded to the experiences of mass organisations that\nadopted harsh methods and ended in dissolution, serving as a lesson that\nconfrontational approaches are actually counterproductive.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis character was exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad: if you wish\nto advise a leader, then draw them into a private space. NU has such a\ntradition; it can advise the state without causing offence to the state.\nThis is what is currently missing,\u201d Sarmuji remarked.<\/p>\n
He added that the challenge for civil society groups wishing to act\nas a balance to the state is that their methods of delivery are often\ndifficult for those in power to accept. This is because, according to\nhim, power possesses its own character which is not always identical to\nthe character of the individual holding that power.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-secretary-general-nu-will-be-more-influential-if-it-plays-big-politics-1783014649", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }