NU pledges allegiance to Soeharto

NU pledges allegiance to Soeharto

SEMARANG (JP): The Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, promised to defend President Soeharto against any attempt to unseat him by unconstitutional means.

Abdurrahman Wahid, the controversial chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), whose actions often project the image of government opposition, pledged NU's allegiance to Soeharto on Sunday, promising that the organization will serve as a buttress for the incumbent President.

"If necessary, two million NU followers will take to the street and protest against anybody who tries to harm President Soeharto," he said. "Never doubt the loyalty of this organization toward this nation."

Abdurrahman said there are people who think that the NU will express views contradictory to the majority's voice in the next assembly of the People's Consultative Assembly, which will be entrusted with the task of determining a new national leadership.

His remarks were widely seen a response toward criticisms that the NU, under his leadership, has been taking an increasingly polarized position from the current administration.

Abdurrahman is also the chairman of Forum Demokrasi, a loose organization of intellectuals known for their critical views of government policies. He has also been the target of political speculations that he was trying to gain leverage by forging a closer alliance with the minority Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), whose chair, Megawati Soekarnoputri, was reportedly elected against the government's wish.

"There are people who are afraid that I would ask NU followers to join PDI," he said on Sunday.

The NU currently boasts about 30 million followers, making it an attractive potential power base for either of the three political groupings; the ruling Golkar, PDI and the Moslem-based United Development Party.

Speaking in a post-Idul Fitri gathering at the provincial branch of the NU, Abdurrahman acknowledged that the organization has been receiving ambiguous signals from the government as to the status of its leadership.

Abdurrahman made it to the NU helm by beating his stiffest competitor, Abu Hasan, in chaotic elections in December. Abu Hasan appeared to have the blessing of the government.

"The condition of the NU is both clear and unclear," Abdurrahman said, pointing out that the ambiguity arose from the fact that he and the other leaders of the NU have yet to be invited to report on the new leadership to President Soeharto or Vice President Try Sutrisno.

The NU congress in December was opened by Soeharto and closed by Try Sutrisno.

Major organizations are usually invited to report to the head of state about planned meetings or the results of the meetings.

"It's kind of difficult to explain," Abdurrahman said about whether or not the government has recognized the new leadership under him. "I can't say that there's a problem between the NU and the government, especially in regions outside of Jakarta."

"The President may still be in the process of considering this problem with Abu Hasan," Abdurrahman speculated. "He may think that there are some unfinished problems within the NU."

"This is normal. If we are now asked to meet with Pak Harto or Pak Try, people may interpret it as if they are siding with me," he said. "We haven't been invited yet because of protocol issues only, instead of some principle matters."

Abdurrahman also admitted that he has been receiving pressures to resign. He told of an incident in which a man, claiming to be a high-ranking government official, personally came to him and asked him to resign.

According to Abdurrahman, the man expressed his anxiety that Abdurrahman would dare to call for an emergency session of the People's Consultative Assembly to ask for President Soeharto's accountability.

"These maneuvers are a psy-war against the NU, so that this organization won't have time to stand firm and strong," he said.

Abdurrahman said he's ready to resign if his presence is deemed to be disturbing. "I'm willing to return my mandate to the organization. Just hold a one-day special congress, appoint a new chairman, and then close it," he challenged his critics. "If the government really dislikes me, just call me and dismiss me." (har/swe)