NU must be held responsible

NU must be held responsible

From Tempo

The militia training undertaken by East Java Nahdlatul Ulama
(NU) members in a bid to provide political support to President
Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid represents political pressure fraught
with anarchism.

The security forces (Indonesian Army and Police), however have
not demonstrated a proper attitude and response to the problem.
Minister of Defense Mahfud MD in his statement said that the
training was analogous to that of a routine drill of Indonesian
martial arts, and even the Jakarta Police chief seems to have
given the green light to the influx of East Java Defenders of
Truth force to Jakarta.

If the authorities permit hordes of people to enter Jakarta,
which is feared will cause chaos, then it is the authorities who
must be held responsible, both as an institution or in their
individual capacity.

If the Defenders of Truth force commit acts deemed harmful to
the public, NU leaders -- both at the central and regional levels
-- must be held accountable. It would be highly unlikely for NU
leaders to be ignorant of their presence, especially in such
large numbers.

The public knows that NU is playing games with this anarchic
force or in other words pretending that they have no knowledge of
such forces. NU leaders must, under no circumstances, look for a
scapegoat and blame the communists, if something undesirable
happens during the mass prayer. NU is known to have allegiances
with left-wing groups such as Democratic People's Party (PRD). NU
must also not make excuses saying there were infiltrators within
their groups which triggered any incident.

If chaos erupts resulting in damage to property, NU leaders
must compensate every single cent worth of damage and suffering
inflicted. And if it turns out that the price is too high, the
public should demand that the government disband NU, since so far
NU seems to have positioned itself as an organization inciting
unrest.

NU does not have to hold a mass prayer in Jakarta, such a
prayer, if meant for the good of the nation, can be performed
anywhere -- in homes or mosques.

It is now crystal clear that this activity is not intended for
the sole interest of the nation but to pressure and strike terror
into Gus Dur's political opponents. Up to now the NU community
has always used religion (Islam) as its political shield. This
would certainly be hazardous and damaging to Islam. Given that,
it would be worth considering a review of the existence of the
organization along with those under its umbrella. Their presence
only incites unrest.

DARMANTO FEBYAWAN

Jakarta