Three candidates named to replace Gus Dur
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)