Moslem youths rally to support Gus Dur
Moslem youths rally to support Gus Dur
BOYOLALI, Central Java (JP): Thousands of young Moslems staged a rally and a march across town yesterday to show support for the leadership of Abdurrahman Wahid in the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).
The rally was organized by the Central Java chapter of Pemuda Ansor, an NU youth wing group, amidst escalating tension between Gus Dur, as Abdurrahman is affectionately known, and his critics within NU.
Earlier reports suggested that the National Police have resumed investigation of allegations of defamation by Gus Dur against Abu Hasan, his rival who failed to unseat him at NU's congress last January. Abu Hasan has also been fiercely lobbying among NU elders to have Gus Dur removed.
The protesters yesterday ended their march with a pledge to defend Gus Dur from any attempt to replace him by unconstitutional means.
Niam Sukri, the chairman of Pemuda Ansor in Central Java, told The Jakarta Post that it was not the intention of the marchers to turn Gus Dur into a cult figure. "The support we're showing is simply legitimate. After all, Gus dur is the legally and constitutionally elected NU chairman," he said.
Niam said the rally was staged after lengthy consideration, taking many factors into consideration, not something that was held in a hasty manner, he said.
Concerned
Gus Dur himself on Wednesday said that he was not particularly concerned about Abu Hasan's plan to take him to court.
"I have nothing to do with him. Whether he is filing a complaint or not, that is up to him," he said in Semarang while attending a discussion on Moslem art and culture at the City hall.
The National Police have reportedly been questioning a number of senior NU leaders, including Ilyas Ruchiyat, Salal Mafud, Hasyim Muzadi and Tengku Azis, in connection with Abu Hasan's complaint. Abu Hassan has also accused Gus Dur of rigging the vote at the NU congress in January, and depriving him of the seat as a consequence.
Gus Dur said he had not been summoned by the police for questioning so far, although he was prepared to give a statement if he was asked. "What is clear is that I'm not making any special preparations for this," he added.
Gus Dur also denied that there has been a rift between him and Yusuf Hasyim, his uncle and a respected NU figure. "There's not going to be a reconciliation because we never fought in the first place," he said, adding that NU has learned to respect differences of opinions.
Earlier reports suggested that Yusuf has been lobbying to have Gus Dur removed because he was seen as a controversial figure not acceptable to the government. (har/emb)