NU advises its civilian guards on Jakarta trip
JAKARTA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) youth figures are calling for calm in a bid to avert an influx of NU civilian guards, but concede that despite these efforts such a mobilization of support for President Abdurrahman Wahid may still likely to occur as Jan. 15 approaches.
NU Ansor Youth Movement chairman Saifullah Yusuf claimed that he had personally issued a ban on his supporters flooding the capital this week.
Speaking to The Jakarta Post on Monday, Saifullah said that he will visit NU strongholds in East Java to ensure that a march on the capital does not occur.
He conceded that NU supporters had planned to swarm the capital after hearing reports of a possible massive anti- Abdurrahman rally on Jan. 15.
"The President and I have banned the move and I expect them to follow orders as no NU supporters should conduct action without an order," Saifullah remarked.
Jan. 15 is the latest political apex, as it is the date a special House of Representatives committee on the Bulog and Brunei scandals has set to summon and question the President over his alleged involvement in the affairs.
Leaders of the NU, which Abdurrahman headed for 15-years before he was elected as President on October 1999, have warned that tens of thousands of supporters will march to Jakarta demonstrating their support for the president.
NU sources told the Post that these supporters have been conducting training in Demak and Jombang, East Java, for the gathering and planned to enter the capital this week.
Separately, Minister of Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan warned political elites on Monday not to exploit religion as a means to gain mass support in achieving their political goals.
"The grass roots people basically want peace, not conflict. This nation badly needs peace instead of one group toppling another group. This is not about winning. we are talking about the fate of the nation here," Tolchah said on the sidelines of the ministry's 55th anniversary of Amal Bakti Day on Monday.
"I'm not sure that Banser members would 'throng' the capital. I suggest for all political elites to use their power to improve the country's condition and not manipulate the masses to be involved in street protests," added Tolchah who is an NU member.
In Bandung, West Java, Army Chief of Staff Gen. Endiartono Sutarto also urged political elites not to mobilize masses.
"Do not use the people or physical pressure, moreover violence that will ruin democratic life," Endiartono told journalists.
He further said that the Army does not have the authority to stop these people from coming to Jakarta, but promised that he will fully back-up the police, if they are needed to maintain the security in the capital.
The Chief of the Army Strategic Reserve command Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu stated that his troops were also ready to face either pro or anti-Abdurrahman rallies should they become lawless.
"I'm not going to stop them. It is democracy. All I can do is engage in a security action. I know how to handle them," Ryamizard said.
But the deputy chairman of Jakarta's United Development Party (PPP) chapter Chudlary Syafi'i Hadzami expressed confidence that such a mobilization of masses will not occur as Abdurrahman himself has forbidden them.
"I am sure that the task force will now not come to Jakarta as they initially said," he said.
The likelihood of an NU civilian guard mobilization was also discussed at a Coordinating Meeting for Political, Social and Security Affairs on Monday night.
Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said the meeting was also calling for calm and for such an influx not to occur so as not to disrupt the security situation. (02/04/25/dja/edt)