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