NU urges ABRI to join reform movement
JAKARTA (JP): Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Moslem social organization, called on the Armed Forces (ABRI) yesterday to join the growing movement for political reforms.
"ABRI should protect and support the demand for improvement which has been brewing in society," NU's executive board said of the student-led movement.
Noting that ABRI was "born out of the people", NU said it was only to be expected that it should protect the interests of citizens.
"It is appropriate that ABRI becomes part of this movement for improvement of our common cause.
"It (ABRI) is not part, or even a tool, of the establishment that opposes ishlah," it said, using the Islamic term it adopts for reforms.
The organization's secretary-general, Achmad Bagdja, read the statement after a meeting of the board at NU headquarters. Ilyas Rukhyat, the chairman of NU's lawmaking body, was also present.
Executive board chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as a pro-democracy leader, was absent. NU staffers said he was recuperating following lengthy hospital treatment for a stroke.
NU said the military should respond positively to the reform movement. "It should not oppose, or even quell it."
"ABRI's operation to ensure security around the demonstrations should be seen as protecting them (the students)," it said.
NU defined ishlah as "improving or changing things that are imperfect, or replacing those that are old and damaged".
Change is sunnah, or Allah's law, that cannot be opposed, it added.
"To reject reform or ishlah is tantamount to reject Allah's sunnah and to neglect people's potential to change and improve their lives," it said.
The organization regretted violence during several protests and at reports of disappearances, and called on the authorities to take responsibility in containing the problems.
"To all student activists, we make an appeal that in fighting for reforms, you maintain your intellectual character, control your emotions and be alert against acts of provocation that could tarnish your holy intentions or divert attention away from the real problems facing the nation."
The military has tolerated students protesting on campuses but moved firmly against those trying to take to the streets, which has often resulted in minor clashes.
Gen. Wiranto, the ABRI chief and minister of defense and security, proposed organizing a dialog with students, but his gesture has received a lukewarm reception.
Although NU endorsed the dialog proposal, it said both parties would have to meet on equal terms for it to be effective.
"Each side should remember that they're doing it for the common cause of improving this beloved nation." (rms/emb)