NU supporters advised to trust government<\/p>\n
DEMAK, Central Java (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid renewed
\non Saturday his request to Nahdladul Ulama (NU) supporters to
\ntrust the government and refrain from storming the capital to
\ndemand the government deal with the current crisis.<\/p>\n
In his keynote address to commemorate the 100th anniversary of
\nFutuhiyyah Islamic boarding school in Mranggen, Demak, some 35
\nkilometers east of Semarang, the President said that if NU
\nsupporters were really aware of the national situation, they
\nwould leave all the problems to the government.<\/p>\n
Thousands of NU supporters were attending the ceremony held in
\nthe boarding school yard.<\/p>\n
House deputy speaker Muhaimin Iskandar, State Minister of
\nForestry Marzuki Usman and Governor of Central Java Mardiyanto
\nwere also at hand.<\/p>\n
The President planted a teak tree to mark a national
\nregreening campaign.<\/p>\n
NU supporters are worried that the President will be unseated
\nin a dishonorable manner following the House of Representatives
\n(DPR) recommendation for MPR to hold a special session.<\/p>\n
However Abdurrahman, known by his nickname "Gus Dur", played
\ndown the situation. "It is a trivial thing," he said. "The taller
\na tree the stronger the wind it will face."<\/p>\n
"There is no point in NU ulemas being frustrated and for them
\nto go to Jakarta. As Muslims, we must love peace. We are all
\nbrothers. Therefore, any problems arising among us must be dealt
\nwith in a peaceful and brotherly manner, instead of using
\nviolence," he said.<\/p>\n
He asked NU supporters to adopt the attitude and principles of
\nthe first president, Sukarno, who preferred non-violence (in
\ndealing with all problems).<\/p>\n
"We should also look to Mahatma Gandhi who hated violence. We
\nmust be firm (in fighting for something), but we must not be
\nviolent. There is a clear distinction between being firm and
\nbeing violent."<\/p>\n
"All of us have our own responsibility in maintaining order,
\ncreating peace and avoiding violence. Storming Jakarta will
\ncreate more problems. NU members and supporters must understand
\nthis," he said.<\/p>\n
NU supporters, especially those from East Java, have been
\nnotorious for their high temper and determination in expressing
\ntheir support for President Abdurrahman, once the chairman of NU,
\nby storming the capital city in huge mass rallies.<\/p>\n
Recent violence in several towns across East Java, including
\nPasuruan, have allegedly been conducted by NU supporters who have
\nprotested the People's Consultative Assembly's (MPR) plan to open
\nthe special session to impeach the President.<\/p>\n
Hours before, the President was in Semarang to lay a
\ncornerstone of a new office of the provincial chapter of the
\nNational Awakening Party (PKB).<\/p>\n
Gus Dur, who is one of the party's founding fathers, donated
\nRp 1 billion to the project. (har\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nu-supporters-advised-to-trust-government-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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