NU to criticize Gus Dur if he steps out of line
NU to criticize Gus Dur if he steps out of line
SEMARANG (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) vowed to be critical if
need be toward President Abdurrahman Wahid's government, chief of
NU's Central Java chapter Achmad said on Tuesday.
Speaking in the lead-up to the NU congress later this month,
Achmad said the country's largest Muslim organization would not
hesitate to criticize or warn Abdurrahman, popularly known as Gus
Dur, for faulty policies.
"NU must play a role appropriate to national interests. Our
relationship with Gus Dur will continue in a proper way," Achmad
said.
"If Gus Dur does something wrong we will warn him, but if he
does everything right we'll stand behind him," Achmad added.
Abdurrahman chairs the 35-million-strong NU and is founder of
National Awakening Party (PKB). Nominated by an alliance of
Muslim-based parties called "the axis force", Abdurrahman was
elected president at the expense of Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle's chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri, who was
eventually elected the vice president.
Abdurrahman has brought some NU and PKB members into his
Cabinet, including Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab, Minister of
Religious Affairs Tolchah Hasan and State Minister of Women's
Affairs Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
Achmad called on NU members to keep a low profile despite
Abdurrahman's successful presidential bid.
"Gus Dur is an NU figure who is on loan to carry out national
duty. He's owned by the whole nation, so it's unnecessary for NU
members to celebrate the ecstasy of victory while others are in
agony," Achmad said.
He said the traditionalist Muslim organization should take a
role as the nation's solidarity maker.
Abdurrahman is scheduled to open the NU congress in his
capacity as President. Achmad said the People's Consultative
Assembly chairman Amien Rais had been invited to the congress'
opening ceremony.
The congress will take place at Lirboyo Islamic boarding
school in Kediri, East Java, from Nov. 21 to Nov. 27. During the
event, NU leaders will elect a chairman who will replace
Abdurrahman, who has been at the helm since 1984.
Mustofa Bisri, Hasyim Muzadi, Said Aqil Siradj and Fadjrul
Falaakh have been touted as the strongest contenders for the NU's
top post for the next five-year term.
Achmad also praised the close relationship between Abdurrahman
and Amien Rais, who is a former chairman of the modernist-
oriented Muslim organization Muhammadiyah.
The two Muslim organizations have been at odds in the past due
to conflicting views on religious practices.
Achmad said the friendship between Abdurrahman and Amien had
boosted unity between Muslims in the country, and this in the
long run should enhance national unity.
The earlier conflicts between NU and Muhammadiyah were not
substantial, rather they concerned more strategic and tactical
matters according to Achmad. (har/edt)