Gus Dur's growing influence led to Habibie move<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): State Minister for Research and Technology B.J.
\nHabibie's request that Abdurrahman Wahid quit the chairmanship of
\nthe Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Moslem organization was made out of fear
\nof the latter's growing influence, says a political observer.<\/p>\n
Arief Budiman, a former professor of sociology at the Satya
\nWacana Christian University in Salatiga, said yesterday that the
\nrequest might have also been spurred by Abdurrahman's refusal to
\njoin the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI),
\nwhich Habibie chairs.<\/p>\n
\"The request was understandable,\" Arief told The Jakarta Post.
\n\"Habibie has been an opponent of Abdurrahman all along.\"<\/p>\n
In fact, \"it would have been strange if Habibie didn't (ask)
\nbecause...he feared Abdurrahman's power,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Arief pointed out that Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur,
\nleads an organization of 30 million members whose influence is
\ngreat and reaches out far to remote villages. He also said that
\nthe request \"was not a tactical thing to do. Habibie shouldn't
\nhave done it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Moreover, Habibie's move was proof that the government has
\nbeen meddling in the internal affairs of the organization, which,
\nactually, has been quite independent so far, Arief said.<\/p>\n
Arief explained that Habibie probably wanted to see
\nAbdurrahman and NU followers join ICMI, expecting the association
\nto become even more powerful and its membership grow.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman refused and has often displayed his dislike of the
\nassociation. He is known as one of the staunchest critics of
\nICMI, even at the earliest stage of the inception of the
\nassociation which has since become very close to those in power.<\/p>\n
\"It's probably this refusal which triggered Habibie's fear,
\nespecially because Gus Dur has charisma...and the support of both
\nyoung and senior intellectuals,\" Arief said.<\/p>\n
Habibie last year requested that Abdurrahman resign, but the
\npublic was only made aware of it after Abdurrahman himself
\nrecently released the information. On Tuesday, Habibie confirmed
\nthat he did make the request, believing that it would be better
\nfor NU if Abdurrahman resigned.<\/p>\n
Soetjipto Wirosardjono, a member of Habibie's staff who
\ndelivered the request to Abdurrahman, had said that his mission
\nwas justified because the current conflict within NU has strained
\nits communication with the government.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman has for the past year had to contend with growing
\ndissension within NU. Earlier this month Abu Hasan, who lost the
\nchairmanship election to Abdurrahman in the 1994 congress, set up
\na rival board in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Arief, however, believed that the friction within NU might
\nhave arisen from some internal changes.<\/p>\n
\"There's a transition of thoughts, from one generation in NU
\nto the next, occurring within NU. There's also a difference among
\ngroups within the organization,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The peak of the transformation process was reached in the late
\n1980s with the emergence of a group of NU members with political
\nleanings, as opposed to those who wanted to see NU more as a
\ncultural movement.<\/p>\n
Arief reminded everyone that it was more important that the
\nmassive organization endures and benefits the whole nation, and
\nthat it retains its independence. \"This independence can help the
\norganization withstand the rush of globalization,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Arief also told NU leaders and members to continuously engage
\nin introspection and hold dialog with various elements within and
\noutside the organization. \"That way, it wouldn't have to
\ndependent on anyone,\" he said.<\/p>\n
KH Moeslim Rifai Imampuro, an important NU leader in Central
\nJava, also lent his support to Abdurrahman Wahid. Moeslim, who is
\nbetter known as Mbah (Grandpa) Liem as well as the spiritual
\nadvisor of Abdurrahman, said the NU chairman was not after power
\nor position.<\/p>\n
\"He is only concerned about how the organization can benefit
\nthe nation,\" he said. \"I'm with him.\" (har\/swe)<\/p>",
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