Gus Dur to go ahead with Jepara visit<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader Abdurrahman Wahid
\nsaid on Friday he would visit the Central Java town of Jepara for
\na gathering of the National Awakening Party (PKB), despite calls
\nto cancel the gathering for fear of a repeat of a bloody clash
\nbetween PKB and United Development Party (PPP) supporters.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, said during Sunday's
\nvisit he would give a speech on \"state and religious matters\" and
\nexpress his support for PKB.<\/p>\n
The clash between the PKB and PPP supporters left four people
\ndead and scores injured.<\/p>\n
\"I'll be there to support PKB because all this time PPP has
\nclaimed it is the only Islamic party (in Indonesia), and PKB
\nisn't (an Islamic party). This is a big mistake. It (the claim)
\nis misleading and stupid.<\/p>\n
\"PKB does not use Islam as its ideology, but we are working
\nfor Islam... In relation to this, I will give a speech that
\nreligion must not dictate the state,\" Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
He said parties seeking to foil the June 7 elections were
\nmanipulating tension between supporters of the two parties.<\/p>\n
\"But this time I won't name the initials of the provocateurs,\"
\nAbdurrahman jokingly said. Abdurrahman often has caused
\ncontroversy by blaming various social tensions on people who he
\nonly identified by their initials.<\/p>\n
\"I will only stay in Jepara for a few hours. And I am not
\nafraid of being attacked by PPP supporters,\" he said. He added
\nthat \"PKB was established by Nahdlatul Ulama and is the sole
\nparty for NU followers to channel their political aspirations\".<\/p>\n
\"If there are other NU members who establish parties, such as
\nthe Muslim Community Awakening Party (PKU), the Nahdlatul Ummat
\nParty (PNU) or the Suni Party, that's fine with me. NU members
\nare free to choose. So what is there to quarrel about,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Some people have criticized Abdurrahman for favoring PKB,
\ncreating tension among NU followers who wish to join other
\nparties.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, however, denied any favoritism. \"I am not
\ndiscriminating (against other parties). If people say I am
\nagainst reform, so be it.\"<\/p>\n
He said Muslim-based parties would campaign for an Islamic
\nstate, which would harm Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"We are a multirace, multiethnic, heterogeneous country. This
\nidea of (building an Islamic state) by Muslim hard-liners is
\ndangerous to our nation.<\/p>\n
\"That is why PKB is not choosing Islam as its ideology.
\nReligion as a state ideology would be devastating to mankind. It
\nhappened in Sudan and other countries,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, Central Java, the chairman of the provincial PPP
\nchapter, Hisyam Alie, said Abdurrahman's visit would have a
\npositive effect.<\/p>\n
He believes the visit will bring calm among NU members from
\nthe PPP and PKB camps.<\/p>\n
\"Gus Dur surely won't blame one party while defending another.
\nInstead, he will surely call on his followers to prepare for free
\nand fair elections,\" Alie told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
The provincial chairman of NU's youth wing, Ansor, Ahmad Niam
\nSalim, also agreed that Abdurrahman's presence would bring peace
\nto Jepara.<\/p>\n
Presidency<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman recently returned from Salt Lake City, Utah, after
\nundergoing cosmetic eye surgery at Moran Eye Center. \"I have to
\nget a B-12 vitamin shot every week for the next 10 weeks. The
\nsecond surgery will take place in October,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asked by journalists about his eyesight, he said: \"Well, I can
\nsee you but with no color.\"<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman also expressed his desire to take part in a
\nplanned debate of presidential aspirants, which is to be held by
\nthe Indonesian Muslim Student Association on May 17.<\/p>\n
Organizer Anas Urbaningrum said three candidates had agreed to
\ntake part in the debate at the Regent Hotel. They are
\nAbdurrahman, Amien Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and
\nYusril Ihza Mahendra of the Crescent Star Party (PBB).<\/p>\n
The organizers now are awaiting confirmation from President
\nB.J. Habibie of Golkar Party, Hamzah Haz of PPP and Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan).<\/p>\n
Media reports have said Megawati has turned down the
\ninvitation.<\/p>\n
\"If she continues to refuse, it could ruin her popularity,\"
\nAnas said.<\/p>\n
In a related development, police found 2,500 leaflets in the
\nWest Nusa Tenggara capital of Mataram which reportedly slandered
\nAbdurrahman.<\/p>\n
Provincial police chief Col. Sukandri said the unsigned
\nleaflets accused Abdurrahman -- along with PDI Perjuangan
\nchairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and former military chief Gen.
\n(ret) L.B. Moerdani -- of being behind the unrest which has
\nrecently rocked the country.<\/p>\n
Also in Mataram, Deputy Governor H.L. Azhar resigned as
\nchairman of Golkar's West Nusa Tenggara chapter.<\/p>\n
\"He tendered his resignation (to Golkar leaders) some time
\nago. I hope this (decision means he) will help me do my job
\nbetter,\" Governor Harun Alrasyid said.<\/p>\n
By law, civil servants and government officials must remain
\npolitically neutral in the upcoming elections. They must resign
\ntheir government posts if they wish to be members or leaders of
\npolitical parties.<\/p>\n
Also in Mataram, Antara reported the provincial chapter of the
\nNew Masyumi Party -- through chairman Busyroh Harist -- nominated
\nmilitary commander Gen. Wiranto and Muslim scholar Nurcholish
\nMadjid as its candidates for president and vice president,
\nrespectively.<\/p>\n
In Semarang, three major political parties formed an alliance
\non Friday to help prevent violence during the election campaign.<\/p>\n
The parties are the National Mandate Party, PKB and PDI
\nPerjuangan. (edt\/29\/har\/aan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-to-go-ahead-with-jepara-visit-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}