Ulemas to proceed with Rembang gathering<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Moslem leaders will go ahead with their
\ncontroversial gathering in Rembang, Central Java, later this
\nmonth to discuss the future of the Moslem-oriented United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
They have already braved accusations that the political
\ngathering would represent inconsistency in their commitment not
\nto be engaged in practical politics. Critics also worry that the
\nmeeting would only deepen conflict within PPP.<\/p>\n
Hamzah Haz, the spokesman for the ulemas grouped in Nahdlatul
\nUlama (NU), said yesterday there was no reason to cancel the plan
\nand the organizing committee has worked the final details of the
\ngathering.<\/p>\n
He assured critics that the ulemas would not choose their
\ncandidates for the new chairman of PPP, which will elect its new
\nleadership in the upcoming party congress in August.<\/p>\n
The planned Rembang gathering has sparked rows among senior
\nulemas who want to snatch the dominant role of Muslimin Indonesia
\n(MI) politicians in PPP.<\/p>\n
Among those who have threatened to boycott the Rembang meeting
\nis K.H. Yusuf Hasyim, an NU functionary and influential ulema
\nfrom East Java.<\/p>\n
PPP is a merging of four Islamic parties: NU, MI, Perti and
\nPSII. NU is the largest Moslem organization with 34 million loyal
\nmembers, mostly in rural areas.<\/p>\n
Ulemas from PPP yesterday met with the chief of socio-
\npolitical affairs of the Armed Forces (ABRI), Lt. Gen. R.
\nHartono, to discuss preparations of the Rembang meeting scheduled
\nfor June 26.<\/p>\n
ABRI Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung has endorsed the planned
\nRembang gathering. Last week, he visited an ulema meeting in
\nJombang, East Java, in an apparent gesture of sympathy to the
\nreligious leaders' course.<\/p>\n
Hamzah, a PPP deputy chairman who heads the party's faction in
\nthe House of Representatives (DPR), said the Rembang gathering
\nwould be informal where ulemas would contribute their ideas on
\nhow to develop PPP. \"Discussing the future leadership of PPP
\nwould only worsen the controversy,\" said Hamzah, who is tipped to
\nrun for party's top slot.<\/p>\n
Support<\/p>\n
Hamzah denied press reports that NU would also nominate Matori
\nAbdul Djalil, the incumbent PPP secretary general, and Karmani, a
\nPPP councilor in Semarang, Central Java, for the PPP
\nchairmanship.<\/p>\n
As politicians are busy jockeying for positions in the
\nupcoming congress, some PPP members have, facetiously, nominated
\nGen. (ret.) Rudini - a former Home Affairs Minister and member of
\nthe ruling Golkar political grouping.<\/p>\n
\"If I were named PPP chairman, I will 'Golkarize' the party,\"
\nRudini said with a big grin when journalists asked for his
\ncomment on the proposal.<\/p>\n
Rudini was proposed to run for PPP's top spot after he led a
\nmass prayer in the recent celebration of Moslem holiday Idul Adha
\nin Jakarta. \"That was the first time I led a mass prayer,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Also yesterday, Antara reported that the PPP chapter of
\nSoutheast Sulawesi has lent its support for the re-election of
\nthe incumbent PPP chairman, Ismail Hasan Metareum.<\/p>\n
Metareum is touring Sulawesi to garner support for his bid to
\nretain his post in the forthcoming congress. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ulemas-to-proceed-with-rembang-gathering-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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