NU row

NU row

From Suara Karya

In its 29th Congress held in Cipasung, West Java, on Dec. 1-6, 1994, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) elected the Board of Executives for the 1994-1999 term with Abdurrahman Wahid (popularly addressed as Gus Dur) as its Chairman. Gus Dur won the election over his rival Abu Hasan by a narrow margin. As a result of this marginal victory Gus Dur has had to face strong opposition.

In a democratic country freedom of speech is guaranteed. But what had happened in NU is really saddening. A rift in the NU body is apparently inevitable. This is of course contrary to the party's objective, i.e. to unite the ulemas and utilize their capabilities to benefit the nation and the country. Therefore a shadow board of executives is absolutely unnecessary.

S. WATI

Sampang, Madura

East Java