NU to stay out of politics, Salahuddin says

JAKARTA (JP): An executive of the largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) said on Wednesday that it would better for the organization to stay out of politics to enable it to focus on social and religious activities.

NU deputy chairman Salahuddin Wahid said the organization had to avoid being dragged into party politics again.

He remarked that a suggestion that NU should return to the political arena by changing it into a party was not a good idea because the most important thing was that NU remained close to the grass-roots.

"I think the suggestion that NU should return to politics is too emotional. After thoroughly studying it, I can see that it would not be a good idea," Salahuddin said, as quoted by Antara.

Salahuddin reminded the importance of taking into consideration the organization's commitment, made in 1926, to focus on social and religious affairs, instead of politics.

NU has been under fire for its ongoing struggle to maintain the presidency of Abdurrahman Wahid, who was NU chairman for 15 years before being elected the fourth president of the country in 1999.

In the last days of Abdurrahman's tenure, NU kyai (ulemas) even issued recommendations saying that any attempt to topple Abdurrahman from the presidency would be considered a rebellion.

Salahuddin, who is also Abdurrahman's brother, emphasized that it would be more flexible for NU, which has around 40 million followers, to reach out to the public by remaining a social and religious organization.

Meanwhile, Chairman Syafii Ma'arif of the second largest Muslim organization, Muhammadiyah, said after a meeting with Vice President Hamzah Haz in Jakarta on Wednesday that NU Chairman Hasyim Muzadi had promised to the Vice President that the organization would avoid political affairs.

"Pak Hamzah mentioned that during the meeting with the NU chairman, pak Hasyim assured that NU would stay away from politics as it had gone too far during Abdurrahman's tenure," Syafii said.

Hamzah met Hasyim on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of encouraging national reconciliation, especially following the downfall of Abdurrahman from the presidency.

Syafii also reaffirmed that Muhammadiyah is ready to support any effort toward reconciliation, badly needed to enable the country to move forward and help boost economic recovery.

"Even though Muhammadiyah has never been involved in any political conflict, we will support efforts for reconciliation," he said. (dja)