Gus Dur-Habibie meeting called for
SURABAYA (JP): Abdurrahman Wahid and B.J. Habibie, both leaders of two of Indonesia's most influential Moslem organizations, should meet and improve cooperation, a respected ulema says.
K.H. Ilyas Ruchiyat, chairman of the syuriyah (law-making body) of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), spoke yesterday of the perceived distance between Abdurrahman, who chairs the executive board of the 30-million strong NU, and Habibie who is the chairman of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI). He told The Jakarta Post it is the public and Moslem organizations that would benefit should the two leaders meet in certain forums.
"They could improve cooperation between NU and ICMI," Ilyas said.
The ulema was commenting on the growing calls for Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, to meet with Habibie and quell whatever strain there may be between them.
The calls were made following the noteworthy meeting between President Soeharto and Abdurrahman earlier this month, which effectively ended speculations of the President's dislike of the latter.
Some observers said proof of improving relations between government officials and Abdurrahman, who leads the Forum Demokrasi group of government critics, could be found in his meeting with Army Chief of Staff Gen. R. Hartono a week later.
Immediately afterward, some suggested Abdurrahman should also meet with Habibie, whose ICMI organization he often criticizes.
Ilyas said such meetings could only bode well for NU. "Nothing is easy for NU. Sometimes its (leaders do things) that people dislike. Sometimes, they do things that please people. What's important is that we should never give up," he said.
"For the sake of NU, Gus Dur should meet with Habibie. Organizationally, NU should also meet with ICMI," Ilyas said.
Ilyas, however, said he does not believe such meetings need to be formally scheduled. "What's important is not whether these Islamic organizations meet in one forum, but whether they can improve their performance," he said. (25/swe)