No interference

From Merdeka

The government need not interfere in the Nahdlatul Ulama row following its recent congress. The rift in the organization will not harm national stability. The crisis stems from dissatisfaction of a number of NU members at the reelection of Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) as the General Chairman of party for 1994-1999 period. It is better to leave it to them to solve the leadership crisis.

The election of Gus Dur as Chairman of the organization means that the NU still has confidence in and support his policy. And this really reflects bottom-up political vision. So Gus Dur may be a future leader who holds the key to change. However, Gus Dur's overlapping opinions and attitudes, vague and dubious vision, often lead many circles to doubt his capacity to bring about democracy.

I think the position of chairman of NU is not final for Gus Dur but rather serves as a stepping stone towards more effective network of non-governmental organizations, national as well as international ones. Gus Dur should aim to allow democracy to flourish in Indonesia.

AGUS MIFTACH

Jakarta