Sudomo's NU offer welcomed
Sudomo's NU offer welcomed
SEMARANG (JP): Leaders of Indonesia's largest Moslem organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), reportedly at odds with President Soeharto, have welcomed an offer from the President's close aide, Sudomo, to mediate.
K.H. Ilyas Ruchiyat, the chairman of the organization's Syuriyah law-making body, expressed gratitude for the initiative of Sudomo, who heads the Supreme Advisory Council. Ilyas hoped that the standoff would soon be brought to an end so that no parties would be able to exploit the situation for political gain.
Abdurrahman Wahid, NU's executive board chairman better known as Gus Dur, said Sudomo's offer was "a new development" in the government's stance on the organization. "This indicates a growing interest in NU," he said.
"I thank Sudomo," Ilyas said, citing that the offer would dispel rumors about the poor relationship between Soeharto and NU leaders, especially Abdurrahman.
Sudomo, according to press accounts last week, reportedly said that Soeharto was neither displeased with Abdurrahman nor offended by his criticisms of the President's leadership in the book A Nation in Waiting.
Written by Adam Schwarz and published in Australia, the book deals with the current political situation in Indonesia, the growing role of Islam in politics, and the involvement of Soeharto's friends and family members in business.
The only reason why NU leaders have not been invited to meet with the President is because he was not aware of the ulemas' request for an audience, Sudomo said.
He pointed out that the letters could very well be misplaced.
"Pak Harto is a democratic man. It's not possible that he would refuse to meet with leaders of NU, (an organization) with great potential," Sudomo said.
Abdurrahman himself said last week he will not make another attempt to meet with President Soeharto after having been rebuffed twice since his 1994 re-election as NU chairman.
He said here Saturday that he has received no reply to the two requests he has made in the past two years to meet with the President.
"Two letters (requesting to meet with the President) are enough," he told journalists who asked why Soeharto has not met him or been given the President's "blessing".
President Soeharto's "refusal" to see Abdurrahman has allowed critics to question the legality of the chairmanship of Abdurrahman, who was democratically re-elected and whose leadership is recognized by the government.
NU, Indonesia's largest Moslem organization, focuses its mission on education and social services. But it gives its members the freedom to get involved in politics on an individual basis.
Political observer Susilo Utomo at Diponegoro University said that he hoped Sudomo's offer was "pure" and free of ulterior motives and not another attempt to meddle in the organization's internal affairs. (har/swe)