NU to hold congress on Thursday

NU to hold congress on Thursday

JAKARTA: The country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), will hold a four-day congress from July 25 through to July 28 here, which is slated to discuss the organization's internal matters as well as national issues, including the ongoing amendment process on the 1945 Constitution.

NU Chairman Hasyim Muzadi said the organization had held several hearings with other social and religious elements in the country prior to the congress in an attempt to determine the effects of the amendment.

"One prominent point in the amendment is to promote a direct presidential election. This will have a positive impact on our country because the legislative body will no longer be able to interfere with the executive body's internal affairs.

"But the amendment will also have a negative impact on us because it will completely change our state administrative system," Hasyim told a media conference at the NU secretariat in Central Jakarta.

Some 1,000 NU ulemas, including those from the restive regions of Ambon, Irian Jaya and Aceh are expected to attend.--JP