Hasyim told to quit NU post

Hasyim told to quit NU post

JAKARTA: Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid urged on Monday Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), to quit his post before nominating himself as a presidential candidate in the 2004 general elections.

Gus Dur stressed on Monday that Hasyim must not use NU, the country's biggest Islamic organization, as a political vehicle.

According to Gus Dur, who chaired the organization for three terms, NU must maintain its non-partisan stance instead of involving itself in politics.

Gus Dur disclosed that Hasyim had formed a team to help his bid for the presidency. The creation of the team had sparked controversy among ulema within NU, he added. --JP