NU congress re-elects Gus Dur as its chairman

By Santi WE Soekanto and Petty Prihartini

TASIKMALAYA, West Java (JP): Incumbent Abdurrahman Wahid beat his competitor, Abu Hasan, by a slim margin in the highly- charged, nearly chaotic, election of the chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).

Abdurrahman, also known as Gus Dur, snatched 174 votes while Abu Hasan, an NU businessman, received 142 votes for the post of chairman of the Tanfidzyah (executive board).

The minute it was clear that the majority of the NU's 29th congress participants had cast their votes for Abdurrahman's second re-election, his supporters shouted "God is Great", "long live Gus Dur" and chanted shalawat badar, the Islamic praises toward the Prophet Muhammad and past Moslem heroes.

Some senior kyai (ulemas) cried openly, while a number of youths threw their fists upward and said, "Rebellion wins after all".

The earlier election of the Rais Aam (chairman of the higher, law-making body, Syuriyah) took place, in sharp contrast, relatively smooth and without a glitch. The participating ulemas agreed to elect K.H. Ilyas Ruhiat as Rais Aam, and K.H. Sahal Mahfudz as his deputy.

In contrast, election of the Tanfidzyah chairman was tense.

In the nomination process, Abdurrahman received the votes of 157 representatives; Abu Hasan 136 votes; Dr. Fahmi Saifuddin, an NU leader and assistant to Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare, 17 votes; while Chalid Mawardi, an NU politician and member of the Supreme Advisory Council, received 6 votes.

To be eligible for candidacy, each candidate should receive the vote of at least 42 representatives; consequently, only Abdurrahman and Abu Hasan went on to the final election.

Circulating rumors about government officials' pressure on representatives not to elect Abdurrahman had apparently contributed to the emotionally-charged procedures. During ballot counting, when the name Abu Hasan was announced several times consecutively, a number of Abdurrahman's supporters raised their hands upward in prayer.

Each time Abdurrahman's name was announced, the supporters cried "Okey" and Alhamdulillah (praise be to Allah). The representatives of the 34 million NU members alternatively yelled and booed each time the names of the two men were announced

Spiritual counselor

Watching proceedings from a corner and surrounded by Abdurrahman's supporters was Mbah (Grandpa) Liem, Abdurrahman's "spiritual counselor", who told journalists he wanted Abdurrahman to lead NU for at least five terms.

Liem is said to be the only man whose words are obeyed by Abdurrahman. It was Liem, when Abdurrahman's victory was certain, who was carried on some of the supporters' backs and taken to the stage.

Soon after his victory was announced, Abdurrahman was guided by dozens of NU youths into the meeting room to wild applause, shouting and flapping of NU flags and sorban (Islamic turban).

The controversial Moslem leader took control of the room, led participants in chanting another shalawat and the din gradually died down.

The meeting, which lasted all night and had to stop with the coming of the morning prayer, could not complete its task of establishing members of the whole executive board. Ilyas Ruhiat announced several hours later that the new leaders will convene on Dec. 13 to elect new board members.

A number of observers to the congress followed the election closely, and found it to be democratic. But, they said, they were surprised by the fact that Abu Hasan, a relatively unknown figure, could tail Abdurrahman so closely.

"This is amazing," political observer Fachry Ali said. "Never before has the NU election proceeded with such stiff competition."

Kacung Marijan, an observer from Airlangga University, believed the open display of emotions and support for Abdurrahman by the congress participants was a form of resistance against the alleged pressures from parties who dislike Abdurrahman.

He also believed that some sort of deal was made, behind the election process, between Abdurrahman and Fahmi. Abdurrahman and Fahmi are related by marriage.

It was reported that Fahmi told Abdurrahman he would never "go against" him, but also asked that he be allowed to withdraw from competition gradually, in his own way.

However, on the sidelines, a number of Fahmi's supporters, reportedly led by Effendy Yusuf, chairman of the NU youth organization, continued with their maneuver. "This is why Fahmi still received some of the votes in the preliminary nomination procedure," a source said.

However, in the final ballot counting, after the participants and the audience explicitly showed their support of Abdurrahman, it was clear that those who initially supported Fahmi diverted their votes for him.

Kacung Marijan said Abdurrahman had actually lost because, until just days before the congress, Abu Hasan was never considered a serious contender. Fahmi was taken more seriously because of his acceptability among government officials.

"This (contest between Abdurrahman and Abu Hasan) is like a fight between a light-weight boxer with a heavy-weight champion," Kacung said. "Even if the champion wins, he's embarrassed."

"This is a good lesson for Abdurrahman Wahid," Kacung added.

Leaders

K.H. Ilyas Ruhiat is an unassuming Moslem leader, son of the founder of the Cipasung Islamic boarding school (pesantren). He is not known for controversial or argumentative statements, but has a strong stance on certain issues. He was of the Moslem leaders who strongly condemned the massacre at the Hebron Mosque, Jerusalem.

Born in Tasikmalaya on Jan. 31, 1934, Ilyas took over the pesantren leadership in the Cipasung village in 1977. Some 6,000 youths are now studying under the tutelage of Ilyas, the father of three.

K.H. Sahal Mahfudz was born in Pati, a small town in Central Java, on Dec. 17, 1937. He is known to be a very knowledgeable kyai and is very concerned about educational matters. He is a former lecturer at the State Institute for Islamic Studies in Yogyakarta.

Abdurrahman Wahid is the grandson of the founder of NU, K.H. Hasjim Asjhari. He was once a legislator of the Golkar faction and is an alumnae of the School of Letters, University of Baghdad, Iraq.

Born in Jombang, Aug. 4, 1940, Abdurrahman is known for his controversial moves, including his recent visit to, and subsequent call for the establishment of diplomatic ties with, Israel.

Closing -- Page 2

Editorial -- Page 4