PDI-P East Java Halal Bihalal: Said Abdullah Says East Java is the Green-Red Base

The Regional Leadership Council (DPD) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) in East Java held a Halal Bihalal event amid the atmosphere of Shawwal 1447 Hijri. During this occasion, the party with the white-bull-head symbol reaffirmed its historical and ideological closeness to Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). Chairman of the PDI-P East Java DPD, Said Abdullah, stated that East Java is the base of ijo-abang (green-red), namely santri and abangan. “Santri reflects the strength of NU, abang signifies the national strength of PDI-P. Both become the roots of politics down to the villages in East Java,” he said in a written statement received by Kompas.com on Sunday (12/4/2026). Quoting Clifford Geertz, Said explained that the social divisions that occurred since the 1950s have gradually merged. “Therefore, PDI-P, especially in East Java, will not leave NU,” he stated. Said mentioned that santri and abangan differ only by a single feather—one is diligent in prayer, the other less so. “However, their fates are the same: both poor, both the majority who are backward in education, both struggling to get decent jobs—basically, both share sad stories. There are many similarities, few differences,” he said. Said outlined that the social duty of NU leaders is to empower NU members, while the political task of PDI-P is to fight for policies in local government, regional parliaments, and the centre. “NU and PDI-P share the same ideological aspirations. The values of NU-ness, namely the strength of Islam that always guides wasathiyah Islam, which is moderate Islam emphasising the principle of the middle path, just, balanced (tawazun), and tolerant (tasamuh) in all dimensions of life, rejecting extremism from both left and right,” he said. He emphasised that wasathiyah Islam also guides PDI-P’s political steps. “We reject presenting Islam in a frightening manner, especially in front of minority groups. They are our fellow countrymen. Our Islam must shelter, provide mercy, and peace,” he asserted. For that reason, Said said, PDI-P is pleased if NU figures choose PDI-P as their political home.