Gus Dur to go ahead with Jepara visit

JAKARTA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader Abdurrahman Wahid said on Friday he would visit the Central Java town of Jepara for a gathering of the National Awakening Party (PKB), despite calls to cancel the gathering for fear of a repeat of a bloody clash between PKB and United Development Party (PPP) supporters.

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, said during Sunday's visit he would give a speech on "state and religious matters" and express his support for PKB.

The clash between the PKB and PPP supporters left four people dead and scores injured.

"I'll be there to support PKB because all this time PPP has claimed it is the only Islamic party (in Indonesia), and PKB isn't (an Islamic party). This is a big mistake. It (the claim) is misleading and stupid.

"PKB does not use Islam as its ideology, but we are working for Islam... In relation to this, I will give a speech that religion must not dictate the state," Abdurrahman said.

He said parties seeking to foil the June 7 elections were manipulating tension between supporters of the two parties.

"But this time I won't name the initials of the provocateurs," Abdurrahman jokingly said. Abdurrahman often has caused controversy by blaming various social tensions on people who he only identified by their initials.

"I will only stay in Jepara for a few hours. And I am not afraid of being attacked by PPP supporters," he said. He added that "PKB was established by Nahdlatul Ulama and is the sole party for NU followers to channel their political aspirations".

"If there are other NU members who establish parties, such as the Muslim Community Awakening Party (PKU), the Nahdlatul Ummat Party (PNU) or the Suni Party, that's fine with me. NU members are free to choose. So what is there to quarrel about," he said.

Some people have criticized Abdurrahman for favoring PKB, creating tension among NU followers who wish to join other parties.

Abdurrahman, however, denied any favoritism. "I am not discriminating (against other parties). If people say I am against reform, so be it."

He said Muslim-based parties would campaign for an Islamic state, which would harm Indonesia.

"We are a multirace, multiethnic, heterogeneous country. This idea of (building an Islamic state) by Muslim hard-liners is dangerous to our nation.

"That is why PKB is not choosing Islam as its ideology. Religion as a state ideology would be devastating to mankind. It happened in Sudan and other countries," he said.

In Semarang, Central Java, the chairman of the provincial PPP chapter, Hisyam Alie, said Abdurrahman's visit would have a positive effect.

He believes the visit will bring calm among NU members from the PPP and PKB camps.

"Gus Dur surely won't blame one party while defending another. Instead, he will surely call on his followers to prepare for free and fair elections," Alie told The Jakarta Post.

The provincial chairman of NU's youth wing, Ansor, Ahmad Niam Salim, also agreed that Abdurrahman's presence would bring peace to Jepara.

Presidency

Abdurrahman recently returned from Salt Lake City, Utah, after undergoing cosmetic eye surgery at Moran Eye Center. "I have to get a B-12 vitamin shot every week for the next 10 weeks. The second surgery will take place in October," he said.

Asked by journalists about his eyesight, he said: "Well, I can see you but with no color."

Abdurrahman also expressed his desire to take part in a planned debate of presidential aspirants, which is to be held by the Indonesian Muslim Student Association on May 17.

Organizer Anas Urbaningrum said three candidates had agreed to take part in the debate at the Regent Hotel. They are Abdurrahman, Amien Rais of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Yusril Ihza Mahendra of the Crescent Star Party (PBB).

The organizers now are awaiting confirmation from President B.J. Habibie of Golkar Party, Hamzah Haz of PPP and Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Media reports have said Megawati has turned down the invitation.

"If she continues to refuse, it could ruin her popularity," Anas said.

In a related development, police found 2,500 leaflets in the West Nusa Tenggara capital of Mataram which reportedly slandered Abdurrahman.

Provincial police chief Col. Sukandri said the unsigned leaflets accused Abdurrahman -- along with PDI Perjuangan chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri and former military chief Gen. (ret) L.B. Moerdani -- of being behind the unrest which has recently rocked the country.

Also in Mataram, Deputy Governor H.L. Azhar resigned as chairman of Golkar's West Nusa Tenggara chapter.

"He tendered his resignation (to Golkar leaders) some time ago. I hope this (decision means he) will help me do my job better," Governor Harun Alrasyid said.

By law, civil servants and government officials must remain politically neutral in the upcoming elections. They must resign their government posts if they wish to be members or leaders of political parties.

Also in Mataram, Antara reported the provincial chapter of the New Masyumi Party -- through chairman Busyroh Harist -- nominated military commander Gen. Wiranto and Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid as its candidates for president and vice president, respectively.

In Semarang, three major political parties formed an alliance on Friday to help prevent violence during the election campaign.

The parties are the National Mandate Party, PKB and PDI Perjuangan. (edt/29/har/aan)