Idrus Marham: NU Congress Must Not Just Elect Leaders, Candidates Must Honestly Assess Their Abilities
Senior politician Idrus Marham believes the 35th Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Congress must become a momentum to determine the organisation’s direction as it enters its second century. He stressed that the NU Congress should not merely revolve around electing the organisation’s elite, but also discuss the direction and future of NU.
Idrus conveyed this during a discussion of his book Nahdlatul Ulama dan Tantangan Peradaban. According to Idrus, the greatest challenge facing the 35th NU Congress is the honesty of candidates in assessing their own abilities and competencies.
“So the toughest test right now, the toughest test facing this congress, is whether there is honesty from the candidates to assess themselves, not to be honest behind dishonesty. This is what is important,” Idrus said on Monday (24/8) evening.
When asked who he considered to meet the criteria for an NU leader, he did not name anyone. However, he urged candidates contesting the NU leadership not to force themselves if they do not possess the required abilities.
“If they are capable, we say capable; if not, then not. Well, there are many like that now,” he said.
Idrus also argued that the 35th NU Congress must prioritise deliberation and consensus. However, he said this principle can only work if the candidates and their supporters are honest in assessing their respective capacities.
“So here, therefore, there was a thought that perhaps the highest civilisation is deliberation and consensus, but remember that deliberation and consensus can only work if each candidate and their supporters possess honesty, primarily in assessing their own ability and competence to become board members. That is the most fundamental point,” Idrus said.
Idrus stressed that he did not wish to determine who is the most suitable figure to lead NU. According to him, discussion of leadership should begin with systems and criteria, not with names of figures.
“Oh, so it is like this. Once again, I always think starting from the system, not from the person, because if we think from the person, it is certainly subjective,” he said.
He said NU needs leadership that not only possesses intellectual ability, but is also able to produce concepts and works whose benefits can be felt by the community.
“What are the criteria? Certainly not merely possessing intellectual ability. So what? Other abilities are also needed,” Idrus said.
According to him, the NU board resulting from the 35th Congress must be able to produce works that benefit the ummah.
“If we want to be more specific, the best NU board going forward is a board that is able to be creative, to produce works, and whose works are beneficial to the ummah,” he said.
Therefore, Idrus hopes participants of the 35th NU Congress can determine leadership based on capacity, commitment and clear concepts to take NU forward.
“Well, I think this can only be done by leaders who are elected later, who truly have commitment, who have concepts that can be implemented and executed,” Idrus said.
He also reminded that the congress should not turn into an arena for the mere pursuit of interests. According to him, entering its second century, NU needs leadership capable of answering the challenges of the times while remaining grounded in the organisation’s values and traditions.