NU advises its civilian guards on Jakarta trip

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)