'Kiyai' politically important in Indonesia

REMBANG, Central Java (JP): Kiyai, the venerated Islamic teachers, have become prominent in Indonesian politics because of the rise of Islamic influence in Indonesia's political equation, noted political scholar Arief Budiman said yesterday.

Kiyai, as well as ulema, have become prominent not because "overnight they became more intelligent or powerful, but more because of the current political process in which the holders of power are going after their support," Arief told a seminar on The Role of Ulema and Kiyai, Between Image and Reality.

If cabinet ministers and senior military officers are now seen visiting old and run down pesantren (Moslem boarding school) where ulemas and kiyai live, "obviously they are not there for fame and fortune but rather for support", he said.

The strong influence these kiyai command over their followers is the prime factor why their support has now become important to political groups in the country, he said.

The two-day discussion was opened yesterday by Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher. Beside Arief Budiman, other speakers on the first day included politician Mathori Abdul Djalil of the United Development Party, and ulemas Hasyim Muzadi and Cholil Bisri, both of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Moslem social organization.

Today, the discussion will feature Minister of Defense and Security Gen. (ret.) Edi Sudradjat and political scholars Afan Gaffar and Riswandha Imawan, both of the Gadjah Mada University.

Arief said Islam has now become "the golden child" in Indonesian politics, making Moslem organizations and their leaders politically more powerful and influential.

Amidst the current rush to seek the support of Moslem organizations, particularly of kiyai and ulema, the government appeared to have left out the NU in parceling out special favors, he said. "But I'm sure in time NU will (receive favors)."

NU's chairman Abdurrahman Wahid has been at odds with the government, apparently for remarks he made in an interview with a foreign author that offended President Soeharto. Since his re- election to the helm of the organization in December, Abdurrahman has not been received by the President, as tradition requires of leaders of major organizations.

Arief in his presentation underlined that kiyai are mostly independent-minded people because they draw support from the grassroots. "Their legitimacy comes from the people. They do not depend on government support," he said.

This, he explained, poses a problem for those holders of power in trying to woo the support of the kiyai and ulemas.

But with the help of the powerful government media, the government appears to have won the support of some kiyai, Arief said, pointing out that some pro-government kiyai have been given media publicity unproportional to their national influence. (har/emb)