NU defends planned mobilization of Gus Dur supporters to the capital

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization's Syuriah (law-making body) Said Agiel Siradj defended on Saturday the planned mobilization of NU supporters to Jakarta.

"It is reasonable for NU supporters to flock to the capital to counter demonstrations staged by anti-government protesters, isn't it?" Agiel told reporters after addressing a seminar at the Yogyakarta State University.

He was commenting on a statement issued by chairman of NU's executive board Hasyim Muzadi in Malang, East Java, on Friday that NU may mobilize two million supporters to come to Jakarta to protect President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, the former NU chairman.

Agiel, however, denied reports that NU did not do anything to prevent its supporters from leaving for Jakarta, saying that the organization had asked them not to come to the capital, but their request was ignored.

"NU doesn't mobilize them as we do not have money for that. They made the decision themselves," he said.

He admitted that the mass mobilization of NU supporters could lead to chaos if a clash between Gus Dur's supporters and critics occurred.

"The military will rule the country again if the conflict turns violent. But we are not able to control their (supporters') reaction," he said.

Agiel, further said that rallies in support of Gus Dur were actually the result of the political conflict in the upper echelons of the government.

"Therefore, it is not right to blame the supporters. They not only are defending Gus Dur's presidency until the completion of his term in 2004, but also the constitution," he said.

He said that the political elite should educate people to play politics constitutionally.

"Gus Dur's administration is not perfect. All sectors of the country are responsible to help the government solve the nation's problems," he said.

Agiel said the complexity of the country's problems required firm solidarity among the political elite.

"We have to walk along a long road to democracy ... we must be patient," he said.

Meanwhile, officials of the Muhammadiyah Muslim organization continued to receive threats in East Java in the past few days.

"Some Muhammadiyah officials have been receiving physical threats from a group of unidentified people. The meeting of the Muhammadiyah's Pasuruan office, which was slated for Saturday night at the Candra Wilwatikta building, will be moved to a another location and will be held on Sunday," Najib Hamid, secretary of Muhammadiyah's East Java chapter, said on Saturday.

Najib related that an executive of Muhammadiyah's Banyuwangi branch, Junaidi Abdillah, was abducted from his house on Friday night. He was released early Saturday morning after being threatened and coerced to participate in movements to hold the Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly. (44/nur/imn)