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)