NU stance

NU stance

From Pikiran Rakyat

Basically, the community gladly welcomes the statement of
stance made by the central governing board of NU, the largest
mass organization in Indonesia. The statement says that reforms
mean improvement of social life and betterment of things no
longer compatible with the present circumstances. The old die and
the young grow -- that is a natural law with which we must
comply.

Rejecting reforms is tantamount to denying the law of nature.
Everything in nature is in a state of process and there is
nothing eternal in this universe except God the Almighty.

With reference to this natural law, it would be better for
this nation if its leadership could be passed on to the younger
generation at an earlier time, to conform to the globalization
era of information and communications.

Therefore, we find to our agreement the essence of the
Javanese shadow puppet philosophy: Lengser Keprabon Madeg Pandito
(step down as a king and adopt the character of the religious
leader). Let's hope that the community will stay away from the
character of Pejah Gesang and/or the practices of individual cult
of a leader.

We all can feel how the whole nation is longing for immediate
reforms in economic, political and legal areas, which will be
implemented politely, peacefully and in a civilized manner
pursuant to the constitution and the prevailing laws.

It is still fresh in our minds what the President said some
time ago: "Polite and civilized communication is the best way to
settle differences in opinion and perception in order to
strengthen brotherhood among this nation characterized by
plurality."

However, in the face of the present situation, it seems that
our nation is running out of patience. The stomach can wait no
longer.

We are well aware that the economic crisis is closely linked
with the political, legal and moral crises.

We believe that the statement made by the central governing
board of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) also voices the aspiration of other
mass organizations, such as Muhammadiyah and Persis.

Therefore, in the context of the call for reforms, which the
community very much longs for, it is hoped that the Armed Forces
and Golkar should give their support to reform efforts.

It remains to be seen whether the way these two organizations
react will be in tune with the aspirations of the people as
represented by university students, or the other way around.

H. ZAKIR MADJID

Bandung, West Java