NU shuns succession debate<\/p>\n
SEMARANG (JP): Chairman of the influential Moslem organization
\nNahdlatul Ulama (NU), Abdurrahman Wahid, called on members to
\nstay away from the presidential succession debate saying that the
\nmatter would be deliberated by the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR).<\/p>\n
\"The presidential and vice presidential candidacies are not
\nNU's concern. They are the MPR's. We have channeled our
\naspirations through the general election,\" Abdurrahman, better
\nknown as Gus Dur, told thousands of NU members in Semarang on
\nSunday.<\/p>\n
He asserted that NU's 30-million strong organization would
\nfocus more on the questions of national unity and cohesiveness.
\nHe said NU members should not debate over presidential or vice-
\npresidential nominees.<\/p>\n
The 1000 member Assembly will convene in March to elect the
\npresident and vice president for the 1998\/2003 term and draw up
\nthe State Policy Guidelines.<\/p>\n
In a related development, a national meeting marking the 38th
\nanniversary of Pemuda Pancasila, a youth organization affiliated
\nwith the dominant Golkar faction, has also decided not to issue a
\npolitical statement on the national leadership issue.<\/p>\n
Pemuda Pancasila chairman Yapto S. Soerjosoemarno said the
\nissue would be decided by the House of Representatives and the
\nAssembly.<\/p>\n
Yapto said the organization's central board has instructed its
\ndelegates not to sign the Indonesian National Youth Committee's
\n(KNPI) political statement concerning the national leadership
\nwhich would likely express support for Soeharto's nomination.<\/p>\n
KNPI, which is an umbrella group for various youth
\norganizations, will hold a national meeting later this
\nyear. (har\/10)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nu-shuns-succession-debate-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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