Hasyim told not to seek reelection in NU congress
Hasyim told not to seek reelection in NU congress
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi should refrain from
seeking reelection otherwise it would exacerbate internal
conflict within the country's largest Muslim organization, a
renowned figure said.
Yusuf Hasyim, the son of NU founder Hasyim Asy'ari, suggested
on Wednesday that the incumbent NU chairman join the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) instead.
PDI-P chose Hasyim as the running mate for its leader Megawati
Soekarnoputri in the presidential election in July. They
qualified for the runoff in September, only to lose to the
pairing of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Jusuf Kalla.
"I think the conflict will be reoccurring and Pak Hasyim will
be the one to blame for the rift if he insists on running for
another term," Yusuf told Antara.
NU will hold its 31st congress in Surakarta from Nov. 28 to
Dec. 2 to elect its chairman for the 2004-2009 period. President
Susilo confirmed on Wednesday when he received Hasyim that he
would open the annual event.
Yusuf said Hasyim stood a good chance of retaining his post as
80 percent of NU branch offices would support his reelection bid,
but at the expense of NU unity.
Hasyim's bid would meet strong opposition from influential
clerics who met in Langitan, Tuban, last week and former
president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, who was Hasyim's
predecessor, according to Yusuf.
"Ulemas like Kyai Abdullah Faqih from Tuban, Kyai Zainal
Abidin (Yogyakarta), Kyai Abdurrahman Chudlori (Magelang) and
others are already sorting a replacement for Hasyim, although
it's not final yet," said Yusuf.
Gus Dur has expressed his preference of Cecep Syarifuddin,
currently a deputy NU chairman for the top post.
Yusuf said that senior ulemas are worried about NU's future if
politics are highly involved in the organization.
"They plan to nominate Mustofa Bisri to lead NU. If he
refuses, they will turn back to offsprings of Hasyim Asy'ari,
Abdurrahman Wahid, Yusuf Hasyim and Salahuddin Wahid," he said.
Yusuf, also Gus Dur's uncle, suggested that Hasyim join the
PDI-P during its party congress next year.
"PDI-P will definitely consider Hasyim successful in uniting
the nationalists and the nahdliyyin (NU followers)," Yusuf said.
Yusuf said Hasyim should emulate Idham Chalid who quit the
race in the NU's 27th congress in Situbondo in 1974 in order to
avoid continuing internal conflict.
"The situation now is quite similar to what we faced at that
time, which was marred by practical politics and dissatisfaction
among most ulemas with Idham," said Yusuf.
Hasyim said after his meeting with Susilo at the presidential
office that he had not thought about running for reelection.
"I have not decided whether to contest the election as it
generally takes place just before the congress ends. I would like
to see a group of people nominate me so I can respond to it,"
Hasyim said.