'Kyai' not to enter real politics

'Kyai' not to enter real politics

From Media Indonesia

On April 29, 2001, two days prior to the plenary session of the House of Representatives (held on May 1, 2001), kyai (Muslim religious leaders) and throngs of supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid, mostly from East Java, came to Jakarta for istighotsah (mass prayers) at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, in the Senayan area. The large number of people involved made Jakartans feel apprehensive.

The istighotsah purpose was to solicit God's benevolence for the welfare of the nation, but some suspected that the hidden intention was to foil, or at least to influence, the above plenary session so that the memorandum of censure directed at the President would not be issued. Thanks to the Almighty, rain fell and the supporters were cooled down.

Currently again, prior to the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (scheduled for Aug. 1, 2001), approximately 5,000 Nahdlatul Ulama kyai and supporters of the President will meet in Ashidiqiyah pesantren (Muslim boarding school) in Tangerang, which will probably be more politically oriented as they will be there purely to support the President.

There will certainly be discussion based on religious references on the validity or legitimacy of "expelling" a President half way into his tenure. It is most probable they will pressure leaders of the political parties not to oust the President.

Referring to Khitah 1926 (Declaration), forbidding Nahdlatul Ulama to be involved in real politics, I am calling for "refrain and restraint" so that kyai will remain exemplary leaders and not confuse their grassroots supporters or the nahdliyin with illogical statements on political issues.

Let the special session resolve the nation's problems, because, as asserted by former coordinating minister for political, social and security affairs, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the special session is not the final destination, but it is for finding a solution to the current crisis and hopefully to improve the economy, social and security aspects, avoid disintegration as well as restore Indonesia's name internationally.

To us, the common people, it does not matter who is our president, whether it be Abdurrahman Wahid or Megawati. What matters most is the end of the crisis and the improvement of the overall situation and the betterment of public welfare.

H. NUR ALI BASA

Bekasi, West Java