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.