Three candidates named to replace Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): The Yogyakarta chapter of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization nominated three candidates to replace current chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur. The three candidates reportedly also have the support of NU's Central Java chapter.

NU is the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia with more than 30 million members. NU will hold a national conference in Lirboyo, Kediri, Central Java, in November.

The three candidates are NU executives Mustofa Bisri, Sahal Mahfudz and Said Agil Siradj, said Nuruddin Amin, the secretary of NU's Yogyakarta chapter.

"Most (NU) members will nominate Hasyim Muzadi from East Java, but we have our own candidates," he said. Hasyim leads NU's East Java chapter.

Yogyakarta chapter chairman Sofwan Helmi said on Wednesday local NU executives had not decided which of the three candidates they would nominate for the national chairmanship.

Abdurrahman, 59, who has led NU since 1984, announced he would not seek another term as the organization's chairman. The presidential candidate of several political parties, including a number of Muslim-based parties, said he was "tired".

The NU was established in 1926 as a socioreligious organization. Prior to the 1955 general election, the organization transformed itself into the NU Party and was among the top parties in the elections. The organization decided in 1984 to return to its original social and religious role and withdraw from politics. NU members have been free to choose which political party they will support since 1984.

This freedom of political affiliation was tested when a number of NU members, including Abdurrahman, founded the inclusive National Awakening Party (PKB) prior to the June 7 elections. The party gained 51 seats in the House of Representatives, making it the fourth largest party in the House.

The deputy chairman of NU's Central Java chapter, Ahmad Rofiq, said the involvement of NU executives in the PKB caused confusion among NU members, particularly in Central Java, the organization's stronghold.

Several brawls involving PKB supporters broke out prior to the elections in NU dominated areas, including in Central Java. In Central Java, PDI Perjuangan won the most votes in the elections, followed by the PKB.

Ahmad also said NU members were confused by the political elite's choice of presidential candidates. "Some of the elite support Megawati (Soekarnoputri of PDI Perjuangan), while others support Gus Dur for president."

Ahmad worried that if all NU leaders became involved in politics, the organization's socioreligious activities would suffer. "Who will take care of education, organizations and other NU activities." The NU includes a large network of schools. (swa/har/05)