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)