ABRI calls on NU, PDI, to resolve conflicts
ABRI calls on NU, PDI, to resolve conflicts
JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) moved yesterday to curb
the growing crisis besetting Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the
Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), calling on their leaders to
show self-restraint.
ABRI chief spokesman Brig. Gen. Syarwan Hamid said the
organizations' leaders would be able to resolve their internal
conflicts if they followed their statutes.
"ABRI believes that conflicts within PDI and NU will be
resolved if all parties concerned sit down together and discuss
whatever problems they are facing wisely," Syarwan told the
Antara news agency.
Addressing a meeting with editors of some publications in
Surabaya yesterday, Syarwan reiterated that the military "has
never intervened" or done anything harmful to create fissures
within the organizations.
He used the occasion to also berate the conflict-ridden
organizations for always trying to find scapegoats. "Unless they
stop this, their problems will stay," he said. "This is a test
for them, to see how they can solve their conflicts through
deliberation."
He gave particular attention toward Moslem leaders in NU.
"This organization has many kyai (scholars) who are experienced
and knowledgeable about Islamic laws...(we know) that Islam wants
wise solutions to problems," he said.
However, "ABRI is confident that they will eventually solve
their problems," he said.
Next, Syarwan turned his criticism toward the press, calling
on them not to blow up their coverage and make the problems
worse. He reminded all parties to take a lesson from the
conflicts of religion in the former state of Yugoslavia.
As for the possibility of the leaders of the two organizations
asking for ABRI's help in managing their conflicts, Syarwan said
ABRI is open for consultation and is willing to mediate for the
conflicting parties.
Scapegoats
Political scientist Dr. Maswadi Rauf of the University of
Indonesia agreed that there's no need for both organizations to
find scapegoats for their problems.
"What's wrong with these organizations is that everybody wants
to win, and no one can take defeat graciously," he told The
Jakarta Post. "Many of the people in them are sore losers."
Maswadi suggested that PDI's executive board, which has been
rocked by protests over the dismissal of the opponents of
chairperson Megawati Sukarnoputri, take the initiative to solve
the crisis.
Megawati and other PDI leaders should meet with their
opponents Latif Pudjosakti and Gerry Mbatemooy, he said. As for
NU, Maswadi suggested that Abu Hasan, a defeated candidate in the
recent chairmanship election, accept Abdurrahman Wahid's victory
and prepare to compete in future elections.
"Abu Hasan should try to become a good loser and not try to
destroy whatever progress the organization has achieved or block
the winners' path," he said.
This past week, both NU and PDI leaders have been protested
and even threatened with lawsuits by disgruntled members. (swe)