Nationalism, religion 'must go together'
Nationalism, religion 'must go together'
SEMARANG (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid turned his
attention on Monday to the differences between nationalist and
religious elements in Indonesian society, saying they both
complemented each other.
Speaking at two different events, first at the opening of the
Nahdlatul Ulama Muslimat Congress in Jakarta and later at the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Congress
in Semarang, Abdurrahman raised the question of the relationship
between religion and the state.
Before a hall filled with over 500 female NU loyalists in
Jakarta, Abdurrahman said there was absolutely no need to
establish an Islamic state.
It was more important, the President said, to ensure that
Islamic values were upheld.
Abdurrahman asserted that his conviction was in part based on
NU's principles. He pointed out that a NU congress in 1935
confirmed there was no need to establish an Islamic state, while
the 1984 congress accepted Pancasila as the state ideology.
"As President, I adhere to these principles. So there is no
need to set up an Islamic state in Indonesia," said Abdurrahman,
who until November had chaired NU for 15 years.
Later in the afternoon, Abdurrahman flew to the Central Java
provincial capital to officially open the PDI Perjuangan
congress.
To a packed auditorium, Abdurrahman underlined the
significance of both nationalist and religious elements in
society.
He underlined that both emerged from the same society and
could therefore live together. And that, moreover, they were
mutually strengthening.
"No one adhering to their religious teachings rejects
nationhood, and (on the other hand) no one has provoked the
existing religions for the sake of nationhood," Abdurrahman said.
"The two are very significant to the nation's life," he said.
Citing the PDI Perjuangan as an important advocate of
nationalism, Abdurrahman urged party cadres to clearly define and
formulate a suitable form of nationalism for the country, by
taking into account the various coexisting elements within
society.
"Without a clear formulation of nationalism, we will have an
empty sense of nationhood," he said.
Election
Abdurrahman also said in his address that the government would
propose a system of direct election for the presidential election
in 2004. The proposal will be made to the People's Consultative
Assembly when it convenes for its general session in August.
His remarks came in response to PDI Perjuangan chairwoman
Megawati Soekarnoputri's opening speech, in which she said that
the (current) unhealthy political system, which did not allow the
party that won the election to lead the nation, should be
changed.
"We should respect the people's aspirations, which are
channeled through elections. A anomaly has happened because of
the existing political system," the President said, adding that
all political elements were expected to agree to such a change.
"Amien Rais, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), has
agreed to it. Mbak Mega has already. Now it's 'bang Akbar's turn
to make his stance," he remarked.
"However, since we are democratic, it's no problem if he
(Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung) disagrees," he said.
The President also called on all major parties to help build a
healthy democracy and to fight money politics.
He then took a jab at the continued perceived ill-feeling
between PDI Perjuangan and Golkar.
"But they hate Golkar because they do not know the party's new
face. Golkar is different now with its new paradigm. I have
frequently met with Akbar and discussed many things. I personally
know Akbar is a democrat," he said.
Seated in the front row, Akbar could only smile at the
compliment.
In his typical jokey style Abdurrahman also reminisced about
political events in PDI Perjuangan's struggle.
"If Megawati was dubbed Indonesia's Corazon Aquino, and I was
its Cardinal Sin, who was its Marcos?" he remarked.(swa/har/rms)