KH Ali Maksum and the NU Charter
Since first serving at the Krapyak Pesantren in Yogyakarta, KH Ali Maksum did more than just teach santri or hold taklim assemblies for the local community. This scholar born in Lasem, Central Java, was also active in the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) organisation. Within it, his reputation spread widely until he was known across the country.
Ahead of the 1955 General Elections (Pemilu), the national political atmosphere grew increasingly heated. Before that democratic event, Nahdliyin figures had declared NU’s exit from Masyumi. As a result, NU participated in the 1955 Pemilu as an independent party.
As a cadre, KH Ali Maksum campaigned to ensure the success of the NU Party. He did not do so directly as a campaign spokesperson, but through cadre training he conducted among the santri, particularly at Krapyak Pesantren. In addition, he intensified communication with national figures, especially those who visited (sowan) his residence.
The results of the 1955 Pemilu were not too bad for this political vehicle of the santri. The NU Party garnered the most votes in third place, after the Indonesian National Party (PNI) and the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). For Kiai Ali Maksum, the end of that democratic event made him increasingly known on the national political stage. He was elected as a member of the Constituent Assembly, representing NU.
Several years after the 1955 Pemilu, the political situation not only heated up but also intensified. PKI rhetoric aggressively attacked Muslims, while sheltering under President Sukarno’s influence. In the regions, communist cadres did not hesitate to disturb the peace of the Muslim community, even threatening kiai.
Finally, the G30S/PKI incident erupted. The once powerful party became a target of persecution. Even Bung Karno’s influence faded. Slowly but surely, the Army began to dominate the nation’s politics. The peak came when Soeharto became Indonesia’s second president.
By the late 1960s, KH Ali Maksum had returned to Yogyakarta. The local community asked him to become the rais syuriah of the NU Yogyakarta Regional Board. Although in the region, his reputation as a national figure remained strong. This was proven when, in 1969, President Soeharto visited Krapyak. Since then, many ministers followed suit in paying respects to the pesantren, mainly to exchange ideas with Kiai Ali.
KH Ali Maksum was adept at building relations with various circles. His national stature and the respect from Nahdliyin, combined with his closeness to local officials, was further strengthened after Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X ascended the throne. This Yogyakarta Kraton ruler visited Krapyak several times.