'Kiyai' politically important in Indonesia

'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)