Rais Syuriyah: Support for Police Chief Candidate Not Official Stance of West Java PWNU
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Rais Syuriyah of the Nahdlatul Ulama West Java regional leadership (PWNU), KH Abun Bunyamin, has affirmed that the statement of support for a particular figure as a candidate for Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Kapolri) is not an official stance of the organisation, as it was never discussed through PWNU West Java’s formal mechanisms.
Speaking in a statement received in Jakarta on Wednesday, KH Abun said the statement previously made by the chairman of PWNU West Java, Juhadi Muhammad, was a personal opinion and therefore cannot be treated as an organisational decision.
“That statement is a personal opinion. It was never discussed or decided through PWNU West Java’s organisational mechanisms, so it cannot be called an official stance of the organisation,” said KH Abun.
He cautioned that the organisation must be careful in expressing views on public office, so as to avoid the impression that PWNU West Java is involved in campaigning for a candidate for Kapolri.
According to him, any statement made in the organisation’s name must first be decided through the deliberative mechanisms applicable within NU.
KH Abun noted that NU’s relationship with the incumbent National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, has been very good, including police support for various religious, social and public service activities carried out by NU.
“The Kapolri’s relationship with NU has been excellent so far. NU administrators and members also feel at ease because the police are always present to assist NU’s activities and its pesantren (Islamic boarding schools),” he said.
He also assessed that Listyo Sigit Prabowo has built good communication with clerics through outreach visits to NU administrators and pesantren leaders.
KH Abun said this relationship must be maintained as part of efforts to strengthen security, public order and harmony in society.
“The Kapolri has built good relations with the kiai and pesantren. Such goodwill should be appreciated and continuously maintained for the sake of security, tranquillity and harmony in society,” he said.
KH Abun called on all levels of PWNU West Java to keep the organisation a big home for all NU members and not to use the organisation’s name to support particular figures without an official decision.
“PWNU West Java must remain a big home for all NU members. The organisation must not be used to support certain interests or figures without an official organisational decision,” he stated firmly.
Previously, the chairman of PWNU West Java, KH Juhadi Muhammad, expressed his support for a senior police officer, Police Commissioner General Karyoto, who is seen as a candidate to become Kapolri, in response to speculation about a replacement for the current chief, Listyo Sigit Prabowo.
He assessed that Karyoto possesses the experience, integrity and closeness to communities and clerics to be considered worthy of leading the National Police.