Gus Dur and clerics in dispute over PKB's reshuffle<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Friction between former president Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid and
\ninfluential clerics from the largest Muslim organization
\nNahdlatul Ulama (NU) broke into open conflict following the
\nclerics' opposition to a decision to suspend Syaifullah Yusuf
\nfrom his post as secretary general of the National Awakening
\nParty (PKB).<\/p>\n
The clerics, who filed their complaint in a letter sent on
\nTuesday to PKB headquarters and its regional chapters nationwide,
\nalso said that the reshuffle among PKB executives \"will hamper
\nthe party's internal solidarity in before next year's elections.\"<\/p>\n
They further criticized the party's leadership, which, in
\ntheir opinion was \"too centralized\" and that caused difficulties
\nfor NU followers to channel their aspirations.<\/p>\n
\"After holding plenary meetings in several towns in East Java,
\nincluding Lirboyo, Jember, Kajen, and Rembang, the clerics said
\nthat NU followers would likely have difficulty expressing their
\npolitical aspirations to PKB in the next general elections
\nbecause of its poor leadership.<\/p>\n
\"The party's management is just too centralized and far from
\nbeing professional, giving us a warning whether PKB will be able
\nto compete with other parties in the 2004 elections,\" NU deputy
\nsecretary general Masduki Baidlawi told the press conference held
\nat the NU headquarters in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
The clerics sent their letter to address the current internal
\ndispute in the party. PKB is known as a political party with
\nstrong support from NU clerics and supporters.<\/p>\n
The new internal friction surfaced after PKB's advisory body
\nvoted to suspend Syaifullah for alleged violations of the party's
\npolicies. It replaced him with Muhyidin Arubusman, the incumbent
\nNU secretary-general, in a meeting presided over by Gus Dur as
\nPKB chief patron.<\/p>\n
Several party executives, including former minister of defense
\nMahfud MD and Cholil Bisri, rejected the decision which they
\ncalled baseless, but Gus Dur insisted on removing Syaifullah,
\nbetter known as Gus Ipul, from his position.<\/p>\n
Due to the deadlock, Syaifullah and his supporters left the
\nmatter to NU as the organization essentially spawned the party.<\/p>\n
Even though the letter was signed only by NU's law making body
\n(Syuria) chief Sahal Mahfudh and NU Chairman Hasyim Muzadi,
\nseveral influential NU clerics called Kyai Langitan such as
\nAbdullah Faqih, Abdurrahman Chudlori, Muhaiminan Gunardo, Idris
\nMarzuqi and Mas Subadar, attended the plenary meetings.<\/p>\n
\"With the position stated by many kyai, we wish to return to
\nnormal relations between Gus Dur and the clerics, which began
\ndeteriorating long ago because of Gus Dur's behavior.<\/p>\n
\"Kyai are not Gus Dur's subordinates,\" Masduki asserted.<\/p>\n
When asked whether the clerics would call on NU followers to
\nvote for other political parties instead of PKB if Gus Dur
\nrefused to change his decision, Masduki said: \"It is possible
\nbecause some have already talked about the move.\"<\/p>\n
NU is also known as an Islamic organization which develops
\ntraditional relationship between clerics and followers. Senior NU
\nclerics hold prominent roles in influencing the way the 40
\nmillion followers vote.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-and-clerics-in-dispute-over-pkbs-reshuffle-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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