Khofifah, Maria Ulfah opt to quit politics

A'an Suryana and Annastashya Emmanuelle, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former state minister of womens' empowerment Khofifah Indar Parawansa opted on Wednesday to leave politics as a consequence of a new Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) ruling that bans its executives from holding positions in other organizations, including political organizations.

However, Khofifah's new colleague in the National Awakening Party (PKB) under Alwi Shihab, Syaifullah Yusuf, quit NU youth wing Anshor to maintain his post as the PKB secretary general. NU Youth and Student association deputy head Abdullah Azwar Anas followed suit.

Also leaving politics was PKB deputy chairwoman Maria Ulfa. Khofifah will concentrate on serving the NU womens' wing while Maria pledged her loyalty to NU female youth organization.

"Concurrently serving in NU and a political party or other organization is no longer allowed under new NU statutes. Therefore it is the decision of the respective members to choose either to stay or to abandon their posts in NU," NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi said.

PKB is the largest political party with mass support from NU. It was founded by then NU chairman Abdurrahman Wahid.

According to Hasyim, Wednesday's agreement had not necessarily been endorsed by the NU's national congress. "Since it is ruled by the statute, it does not need approval from the NU national meeting, and we just do it," he said.

He said the Yogyakarta congress had left the NU with homework, including the dual role issue.

Syaifullah said that his decision to quit Anshor should be approved by Anshor in April.

"I prefer to remain in PKB, but the decision is up to the Anshor congress. The members of Anshor have elected me through the congress, and now it is their right as well to decide whether I should stay in Anshor or abandon it," Syaifullah said.

Hasyim said that the agreement did not only effect Alwi Shihab's PKB, but also other NU members serving other organizations as well.

"Endin J. Soefihara has relinquished his position at Anshor, and now he is serving as executive at the United Development Party (PPP)," he said, citing an example.

The issue of dual roles is currently being hotly debated with most political parties currently allowing its members to hold top positions in other organization, including the government.