Gus Dur and NU

Gus Dur and NU

From Neraca

Everybody knows who Gus Dur is. His full name is Abdurrahman Wahid. He is a controversial figure, whose way of thinking is difficult to follow.

Whatever Gus Dur says, it is interesting material for public debate. The controversy is a boon to the press. His comments make good copy for the media.

I would like to recall some events surrounding Gus Dur.

Gus Dur left the United Development Party (PPP) with his organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), causing a loss of votes for the PPP. This is indicative of Gus Dur's influence and fanatical following. NU is said to have some 7,000 Islamic schools (pesantren) throughout Indonesia.

Gus Dur's trip to Israel, though a personal one, was hard to accept by the majority of the Islam population. The people consider Gus Dur identical with NU.

Despite the controversy Gus Dur has been reelected chairman of NU. This has brought him closer to the sides with whom the relation had not been so smooth, such as President Soeharto, the Army Chief of Staff, political observer Amien Rais and State Minister of Research and Technology B.J. Habibie.

However, Habibie has rejected the possibility of meeting Gus Dur as many people had wished. Habibie considers such a meeting of no great importance and the conditions put by Gus Dur are not acceptable to him.

A religious scholar of Klaten, Central Java, has said, "There are only two people in Indonesia. One is President Soeharto, the other is Gus Dur." It is too early to interpret this. What is Gus Dur actually looking for? Only he knows.

So far NU members have been loyal to the organization. Only time will show how things will develop in line with the progress obtained by NU members and the shifting values in society.

NIRWAN D.

Jakarta