NU distrusts support for Gus Dur nomination
NU distrusts support for Gus Dur nomination
YOGYAKARTA (JP): A top Nahdlatul Ulema (NU) official has expressed skepticism at the sincerity of the "axis force," led by Amien Rais, to nominate NU chief Abdurrahman Wahid as presidential candidate.
NU deputy secretary-general Arifin Junaidi said here on Saturday that the very existence of the axis force was generally still viewed with wariness by the 30-million strong socioreligious organization.
"NU and National Awakening Party (PKB) members distrust the axis force's existence, let alone its decision to nominate Abdurrahman," Arifin remarked.
As an institution, the Nahdlatul Ulema has declared it would not be involved in practical politics. However, its leaders are core founders and leaders of the PKB.
The party received the third highest vote in the June 7 election.
The two top vote-getters, the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Golkar Party, have so far remained steadfast behind their respective presidential candidates: Megawati Soekarnoputri and incumbent B.J. Habibie.
Some smaller parties, with almost all having Islamic undertones, have banded together to form a loose coalition and suggested Abdurrahman, also known as Gus Dur, as an alternative candidate.
The axis force, spearheaded by National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais, includes the United Development Party (PPP), the Crescent Star Party (PBB) and the Justice Party (PK).
PKB chairman Matori Abdul Djalil has stated his party would support Megawati.
When asked why he distrusted this new alliance, Arifin replied that the various elements within the axis force were far from solid.
"Although Amien has declared Gus Dur's nomination several times, PAN secretary-general Faisal Basri said there were no talks in PAN on the nomination," he said as an example.
Another reason was that NU and PKB members were not sure of the axis force's real strength.
"The axis force leaders include PKB's seats in the next House of Representatives (as a summation of their strength) despite PKB having no commitment to the axis force," Arifin noted.
Arifin also said it was difficult to believe that party leaders of different political views would support Abdurrahman.
"The axis force leaders in the past often considered Abdurrahman negatively. They even once called him a Zionist!
"Why would they all of a sudden nominate him?" asked Arifin, adding that it was only natural to consider the leaders' track record.
Serious
Senior NU executive Said Agiel Siradj further brushed aside the role of the axis force on Sunday, and said that Abdurrahman's readiness to accept their nomination was not a sedate political option.
"His willingness to accept their nomination was nothing more than an attempt to make them happy," he said.
He stressed that most NU members in PKB would adhere to the commitment to support Megawati.
"If we want to be democratic, then we should back the winner of the general election," he asserted.
Separately, deputy chairman of PDI Perjuangan, Soetardjo Soerjoguritno, said his party did not feel threatened by the axis force's existence.
"I hope they will not set aside the nation's interest," he remarked.
Arifin also met Megawati on Saturday.
"It was only a silaturahmi (social meeting), because we (NU) have an event here and so does Ibu Mega," Arifin said.
Sofwan Helmi, chairman of the NU Yogyakarta chapter, said there were no political discussions during the meeting, and that Megawati's presidential bid was not discussed. (05/44)