Nurcholish's prediction

Nurcholish's prediction

From Republika

Nurcholish Madjid's prediction that "If President Abdurrahman
Wahid, or Gus Dur, was to step down in the middle of his term of
office there would be strong enmity between Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)
and Muhammadiyah," is sort of an exaggeration. Besides, in my
opinion, there is no historical precedent to back up the
prediction, because based on historical records, NU and
Muhammadiyah are familiar with differences of opinion in policy-
making.

In fact, within the NU inner circle, in the process of
selecting candidates for the general chairman of NU central board
(PBNU), very often there have been struggles and high tension
among their supporters. The hostility between Gus Dur supporters
and of supporters of his rival Abu Hasan in the Cipayung NU
Congress was proof that regardless of the tightness of the
competition, the election process was regarded democratic, and
eventually NU members were willing to adopt the congress'
resolution which pronounced Gus Dur the PBNU general chairman.
Similar things also took place in the recent election of the PBNU
general chairman in Surabaya.

Accordingly, if in the coming August annual session of the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) President Abdurrahman
Wahid's mandate has to be revoked by the MPR, I am sure NU
members and its clerics will not be incited to resort to violence
provided that the procedure and reason for the revocation of the
mandate are in accordance with the Constitution.

TAUFIQURROHMAN SYAHURI

Bekasi, West Java