Three candidates named to replace Gus Dur<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Yogyakarta chapter of the Nahdlatul Ulama
\n(NU) Muslim organization nominated three candidates to replace
\ncurrent chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur. The
\nthree candidates reportedly also have the support of NU's Central
\nJava chapter.<\/p>\n
NU is the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia with more
\nthan 30 million members. NU will hold a national conference in
\nLirboyo, Kediri, Central Java, in November.<\/p>\n
The three candidates are NU executives Mustofa Bisri, Sahal
\nMahfudz and Said Agil Siradj, said Nuruddin Amin, the secretary
\nof NU's Yogyakarta chapter.<\/p>\n
\"Most (NU) members will nominate Hasyim Muzadi from East Java,
\nbut we have our own candidates,\" he said. Hasyim leads NU's East
\nJava chapter.<\/p>\n
Yogyakarta chapter chairman Sofwan Helmi said on Wednesday
\nlocal NU executives had not decided which of the three candidates
\nthey would nominate for the national chairmanship.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, 59, who has led NU since 1984, announced he would
\nnot seek another term as the organization's chairman. The
\npresidential candidate of several political parties, including a
\nnumber of Muslim-based parties, said he was \"tired\".<\/p>\n
The NU was established in 1926 as a socioreligious
\norganization. Prior to the 1955 general election, the
\norganization transformed itself into the NU Party and was among
\nthe top parties in the elections. The organization decided in
\n1984 to return to its original social and religious role and
\nwithdraw from politics. NU members have been free to choose which
\npolitical party they will support since 1984.<\/p>\n
This freedom of political affiliation was tested when a number
\nof NU members, including Abdurrahman, founded the inclusive
\nNational Awakening Party (PKB) prior to the June 7 elections. The
\nparty gained 51 seats in the House of Representatives, making it
\nthe fourth largest party in the House.<\/p>\n
The deputy chairman of NU's Central Java chapter, Ahmad Rofiq,
\nsaid the involvement of NU executives in the PKB caused confusion
\namong NU members, particularly in Central Java, the
\norganization's stronghold.<\/p>\n
Several brawls involving PKB supporters broke out prior to the
\nelections in NU dominated areas, including in Central Java. In
\nCentral Java, PDI Perjuangan won the most votes in the elections,
\nfollowed by the PKB.<\/p>\n
Ahmad also said NU members were confused by the political
\nelite's choice of presidential candidates. \"Some of the elite
\nsupport Megawati (Soekarnoputri of PDI Perjuangan), while others
\nsupport Gus Dur for president.\"<\/p>\n
Ahmad worried that if all NU leaders became involved in
\npolitics, the organization's socioreligious activities would
\nsuffer. \"Who will take care of education, organizations and other
\nNU activities.\" The NU includes a large network of schools.
\n(swa\/har\/05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/three-candidates-named-to-replace-gus-dur-1447893297",
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