'Kyais' leave Gus Dur's fate in God's hands

SURABAYA (JP): Religious leaders from the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) remained aloof on Wednesday regarding their support of President Abdurrahman Wahid, saying that the fate of their former chairman should be left in God's hands.

Masduki Mahfudl, a senior NU kyai (religious leader), told The Jakarta Post by telephone from Malang, East Java, that senior kyais would not take up a formal position, and would instead leave the question of choosing the best political resolution to Abdurrahman.

The blessing of some 15 NU senior religious leaders, referred to as Kyai Langitan, was regarded as the ultimate green light when Abdurrahman entered the presidency race in October 1999.

However, with the President being backed into a political corner and his administration in a state of flux, there have been reports that the support of these senior kyais is also waning.

Masduki, who is also head of the East Java branch of the Indonesian Ulemas Council, would neither confirm nor deny these rumors.

"All this talk about Kyai Langitan, just let them be ... it's just news reports. Some may be true and some may not," he remarked.

"Actually the kyais will leave the political decision completely up to Gus Dur," he said, referring to the President by his nickname.

"If he wants to undertake a compromise to save the nation then go ahead. But if he feels that it isn't beneficial, then Gus Dur has his rights.

"We have never tried to dictate anyone," he asserted.

Masduki insisted that, even when they do advise Abdurrahman, there are no hidden political motives.

He said the kyais only wish to see two things: peace and security in the country; and the interests of the people put first.

"Whatever happens later, we leave up to God," he said.

Masduki admitted that the Kyai Langitan continue to provide advice to Abdurrahman, of which some is accepted and some not.

"Usually, when he's being advised, Gus Dur just keeps quiet and listens. Whether it is accepted or not, we just have to wait and see if it is implemented," he said, without revealing what sort of advice had been given to the President lately.

When asked whether they had discussed the issuance of the second memorandum of censure against the President, Masduki, who is also head of the NU's East Java branch law-making body, replied that it had only been touched upon informally.

"Basically, we want to see the best solution for the country. What form that will take is up to Gus Dur," he responded.

Commenting on the numerous calls for Abdurrahman to step down, Masduki remarked that everyone had a right to their opinion.

"Everyone has their own agenda, but God's agenda is the best. And no one knows God's agenda until it has happened," he said.

Separately in Jepara, Central Java, on Tuesday night, NU chief Hasyim Muzadi skirted the question of NU's support for Abdurrahman.

Despite suggesting that the second censure was a clear plan to topple Abdurrahman, Muzadi still insisted that the matter should be left in the hands of God.

"Leave it up to God. NU members have already conducted a mass prayer on April 29, so let's await God's judgment," Muzadi said.

But a more extreme view was expressed by Abdul Hamid Baidlowi, who insisted that Abdurrahman resign.

"The faster Abdurrahman resigns the better. The man does not listen to advice," insisted Baidlowi, who heads a religious school in Rembang, Central Java.

"Looking at his characteristics, there is no way Gus Dur can improve his administration's performance within a month," he said, referring to the one-month deadline for the President to respond to the censure.

"Based on my experience Gus Dur will not accept advice or receive input from someone else," Baidlowi said. (nur/har)