Hasyim is Gus Dur's man, ulemas say<\/p>\n
KEDIRI, East Java (JP): Hasyim Muzadi's election as chairman
\nof Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) was cautiously welcomed by local and
\nforeign observers on Friday, with some noting the victory
\nattested to Abdurrahman Wahid's secure hold on the Muslim
\norganization.<\/p>\n
Political observer Fachry Ali said Hasyim's election indicated
\nAbdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, continued to wield strong
\ninfluence in the organization because the new chairman was
\nclosely linked to the President.<\/p>\n
"Hasyim's election means Gus Dur is still really leading NU,"
\nsaid the lecturer of Hidayatullah Islamic Teaching Institute in
\nJakarta.<\/p>\n
"I'm not saying Gus Dur intervened in the election, but I
\nthink he needs political support from NU which can be given with
\nHasyim as leader."<\/p>\n
Fachry said the organization could become stronger due to its
\nclose relationship with the President.<\/p>\n
"NU will have strong bargaining power with the government and
\npolitical parties, especially the National Awakening Party (PKB),
\nif Hasyim and his close fellow ulemas succeed in maintaining NU's
\nindependence."<\/p>\n
An observer of the organization from France's national
\nscientific research center (CNRS), Andre Feillard, said Hasyim
\nwas fit to lead due to his close ties with Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
"Hasyim has great potential to engage in lobbying with the
\nPresident to fight for the organization's interests," she said.<\/p>\n
"It now all depends on how he will lead the organization, and
\ndeploy a human and religious approach with all figures outside
\nthe organization."<\/p>\n
She warned that Hasyim faced a heavy task in implementing all
\nthe congress' recommendations.<\/p>\n
"The new executive board under Hasyim has been recommended to
\npromote democracy and human rights, weed out corruption,
\nincluding the ones involving former president Soeharto, his
\nfamily and cronies and the issue of the planned trade relations
\nbetween Indonesia and Israel.<\/p>\n
"Hasyim must be able to lobby the government to listen to NU's
\naspirations. If the President fails to accommodate NU's
\naspirations, he could lose support for his government from
\nMuslims in the country."<\/p>\n
A political observer from Airlangga University in Surabaya,
\nKacung Maridjan, praised Hasyim as a leader with strong
\nmanagerial skills who could help improve the quality of human
\nresources in NU and empower Muslims in economic matters.<\/p>\n
"I support Hasyim's priority to give more attention to the
\npoor mostly living in rural areas. He should enhance personal
\nties with NU figures living in Jakarta and outside of Java to
\nseek support in developing the organization and its programs."<\/p>\n
He warned that Hasyim's close links with PKB could make it
\ndifficult for him to develop close personal contact with NU
\nfigures who were active in other political organizations,
\nincluding the Golkar Party and the United Development Party
\n(PPP).<\/p>\n
He also acknowledged that Hasyim's close relationship with
\nAbdurrahman could temper NU criticism of the government.<\/p>\n
"But I think Hasyim will be able to play his role wisely in
\ndeveloping lobbying with the government for NU's interests, as he
\ndid in the past in East Java," he said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, M. Mahfud of the Indonesian Islamic
\nUniversity brushed off fears over the close relationship between
\nAbdurrahman and Hasyim.<\/p>\n
"I don't think it will matter. Yes they are close personally,
\nbut all the other people around Hasyim can continue to be
\ncritical," he told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
"The younger generation of NU are very smart and
\ncritical...They will represent the organization as a critical
\nvoice towards the government even if the chairman ends up not
\nbeing to critical".(nur\/rms\/23)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/hasyim-is-gus-durs-man-ulemas-say-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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