Said Abdullah Invites NU to Make PDI Perjuangan Their Political Home
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of the Central Executive Board (DPP) of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Said Abdullah has invited Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) figures to make PDI Perjuangan their political home.
“NU and PDI Perjuangan share the same ideological aspirations,” Said stated at the Halalbihalal event at the PDI Perjuangan East Java Provincial Board Office in Surabaya on Sunday (12/4), as quoted from a statement received in Jakarta on Monday.
He explained that various NU values, namely the strength of Islam that consistently upholds Islam Wasathiyah, or moderate Islam, emphasise the principles of the middle path, justice, balance (tawazun), and tolerance (tasamuh) in all dimensions of life, while rejecting extremism, whether from the left or the right.
According to Said, Islam Wasathiyah serves as the guiding principle for PDI Perjuangan’s political steps, rejecting the presentation of Islam in a frightening manner, especially before minority groups, even though they are fellow compatriots.
Thus, he said, Islam must encompass, provide mercy, and bring peace. He expressed great pleasure if NU figures choose to make PDI Perjuangan their political home.
“So, preaching and accompanying PDI Perjuangan brings multiplied rewards,” he remarked.
As Chairman of the East Java Regional Representative Council (DPD) of PDI Perjuangan, he noted that the East Java base consists of “ijo-abang” or green-red, as well as “santri-abangan”.
He clarified that santri reflects the strength of NU, while abang signifies the national strength, namely PDI Perjuangan.
“Thus, both become the political roots reaching various villages in East Java,” he said.
Nevertheless, Said noted that the social divisions described by Clifford Geertz since the 1950s are now increasingly merging. In various national surveys, voters identifying as NU channel their votes predominantly to PDI Perjuangan.
Therefore, he stressed that PDI Perjuangan, especially in East Java, will not abandon NU.
“The social duty of NU officials is to empower NU citizens. The political duty of PDI Perjuangan is to fight for policies in local government, regional and national parliaments, and to prosper NU citizens and the entire people of East Java,” Said explained.