NU never undermines government: Gus Dur<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of the 30-million
\nstrong Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said his was the only organization
\nwhich never got involved in any conflicts with the government.<\/p>\n
"There have never been any conflicts with the government
\nbecause many officials, both civil and military, are NU members
\nat heart," he was quoted by the Antara news agency as saying in
\nan NU gathering in Brebes, Central Java, yesterday.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, who is more popularly known as Gus Dur, said
\nneither has the organization ever become involved in any attempts
\nto undermine the government.<\/p>\n
NU never meddles in government affairs, because it does not
\nhave anything to do with "practical politics," he said.<\/p>\n
Given that NU has a neutral stance, those who are involved in
\nthe political affairs should therefore not isolate or attempt to
\nreduce the significance of NU, he said.<\/p>\n
He said that NU may not have any seats in the government
\nstructure, but the fact that it represents the moral and
\nspiritual force of the community should remind political actors
\nnot to underestimate NU.<\/p>\n
"It then becomes the obligation of various parties not to
\nbelittle NU," he said.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur also called on NU members in all layers of society,
\nincluding in the military and civil authorities, to campaign for
\nnational unity and continuous development process.<\/p>\n
"NU members should also become role models for other people,
\nespecially regarding efforts to establish a clean government," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
It is customary for newly elected leaders of major
\norganizations to report to President Soeharto. However, since Gus
\nDur was re-elected chairman of the organization in NU congress in
\nDec. 1994, beating his competitor Abu Hasan who was reportedly
\nbacked by the government, he and the other NU leaders have yet to
\nbe received by President Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, however, has often striven to show to the public that
\nNU had good relations with the government. He twice said that NU
\nis ready to defend President Soeharto from any unconstitutional
\nattempts to unseat him. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nu-never-undermines-government-gus-dur-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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