Abu Hasan files slander charges with the police

Abu Hasan files slander charges with the police

JAKARTA (JP): Abu Hasan, a key figure in Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), yesterday told the police yesterday that the organization's chairman Abdurrahman Wahid had slandered him.

Accompanied by three lawyers, Abu Hasan, who lost in a bid to unseat Abdurrahman at the NU's congress in December, met with the chief detective of the National Police Force, Brig. Gen. Rusdihardjo, to file formal charges.

One of his lawyers was quoted by Antara as saying that Abu Hasan leveled two charges against Abdurrahman. Abu Hasan told the police that Abdurrahman rigged the election for the NU chairmanship and defamed him by spreading rumors he had accepted kickback of Rp 38 billion (US18.8 million) from Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port development.

Asked whether Abu Hasan has submitted material evidence against Abdurrahman, Thamrin Manan, the lawyer, said, "We will present that together with witnesses."

He said that besides the criminal charges, Abu Hasan will also file civil charges against the NU chairman after the verdict in the criminal case is handed down.

Abu Hasan, a businessman, surprised observers by winning 142 votes against Abdurrahman's 174 in the chaotic election.

Abu Hasan reportedly enjoyed the endorsement of the government.

Abu Hasan, who is a newcomer on the NU political scene, set up a rival leadership recently after he was excluded from Abdurrahman's executive board.

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A political observer at Muhammadiyah University in Malang, East Java, was quoted by Antara news agency as saying yesterday that the conflict between Abu Hasan and Abdurrahman will tarnish the image of Moslem scholars if it is not resolved soon.

Malik Fadjar said, "So far we have viewed NU leaders as clergymen, but if they are involved in conflicts like this they will paint dark pictures of themselves and other Moslem scholars. (ego/tis)