NU wants a more accountable ABRI
JAKARTA (JP): Nadhlatul Ulama (NU), the country's largest Moslem organization, has avowed its support of the Armed Forces (ABRI), but urged it to be more accountable for the safety of the nation.
Speaking before a gathering of more than 5,000 people in the eastern Senayan parking lot in Central Jakarta, NU Chairman Abdurrahman Wahid reminded ABRI that it must remain the guardian of the country.
He said it should not be merely a political tool to maintain the status quo or interest of a particular group.
"The nation's unity and cohesion must not be sacrificed for a group's interests," said Abdurrahman, who is popularly known as Gus Dur.
"Show to the people that ABRI is the guardian of the nation, not supporter of a group," he said at the gathering organized by GMNU, the organization's youth wing.
The turnout was small compared to the Sept. 30 gathering at the Istiqlal Grand Mosque, Central Jakarta, which was organized by the Indonesian Council of Ulemas. More than 10,000 attendees were estimated at that event, organized to warn against the reemergence of banned communist elements and show support for President B.J. Habibie's government.
Sunday's gathering asserted GMNU's "commitment to stick to the form of the state as a unitary state based on state ideology Pancasila and 1945 Constitution".
Minister of Defense/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto also spoke, and several senior ABRI officials and illustrious public figures were also present.
Other attendees included Army Chief of Staff Gen. Subagyo HS, Armed Forces Chief of Sociopolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, National Police chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi, National Resilience Institute Governor Lt. Gen. Agum Gumelar, Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen Djadja Suparman and Jakarta Police chief Maj.Gen Nugroho Djayusman.
Retired generals on hand were former Jakarta governor Lt. Gen. (ret) Ali Sadikin and former defense minister Gen. (ret) Edi Sudrajat.
Also present was Catholic priest Ign. Sandyawan Sumardi of Volunteers for Humanity and several other religious figures, including representatives of the Indonesian Committee of World Moslem Solidarity (KISDI).
Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung and Megawati Soekarnoputri were reportedly among invitees who did not attend.
Murders
Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs HR Agung Laksono, businessman Arifin Panigoro and former minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja also attended.
In his speech, Abdurrahman also highlighted the grisly murders of more than 100 alleged "black magic practitioners" and Moslem preachers in the East Java regency of Banyuwangi, a predominantly NU region.
He alleged that many actions, including the killings in Banyuwangi, were attempts to disturb the relationship between NU and ABRI.
Abdurrahman said NU trusted the Armed Forces and the local government administration would settle the problem.
NU viewed the handling of the murders as a "simple" case. "It's because we live in a country where there are troops, so we'll just hand over the matter to ABRI to secure all the regions in East Java. We believe ABRI could safeguard them.
"It (the killings) is the responsibility of ABRI and the local administration (to stop it)."
Abdurrahman also emphasized what the NU's younger generation's called the "criminal political means" used as political maneuvers to attain particular political ends.
In its statement distributed at the gathering, GMNU said such inhumane means could eventually lead to the loss of social solidarity and stir social unrest.
GMNU Chairman Muhammad Iqbal Assegaf, who read out the statement, called on people to eradicate approaches to expressing opinions which could rip asunder national unity.
Citing last Friday's murder of a young counselor from Volunteers for Humanity, Abdurrahman said it was "unacceptable".
"Why does one have to be murdered just because one wanted to testify? We reject such inhumane means. We are a civilized nation."
Police have said the murder of Martadinata, 18, was purely criminal in nature. She reportedly was set to accompany a rape victim from the May riots to testify in the United States.
Wiranto in his address urged members of society to join hands to restore the country from its dire condition and also to refresh commitments to correct past mistakes.
He warned against the continuing defamation of the government, "the force of will" and growing violence that could run counter to reform efforts if left unchecked.
"Will we let this be? Is this our choice? Will we let a certain group sink our whole big ship and bring down all of us? The answer is no," he said without specifying the group. His comment met with applause. (aan)