Try closes NU congress with call for prowness

By Santi WE Soekanto and Petty Prihartini

TASIKMALAYA, West Java (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno closed the 29th congress of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) yesterday, calling on the largest Moslem organization to continue moving forward.

"In order to bring about a better tomorrow, Nahdlatul Ulama, as an integral part of the nation, has to be able to courageously move on...in a dynamic and flexible direction and tempo," Try said addressing some 3,000 participants of the congress.

In order to meet the goal, Try said the organization, established in 1926, should consistently hold on to its foundations which are: The values and tradition of Islam, the state ideology Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.

Try also asked the organization, which just elected its new leaders in what observers called a democratic election, to be "the pioneer of unity and cohesion, in all layers of society".

Only with such a stance can the organization effectively implement its Khittah (basic guidelines or mission), which is bringing about beneficial programs for Indonesia's citizens and all of mankind, he said.

Try also reminded the participants, mostly senior ulemas from the organization's 293 branches, that the "progress and problems of NU are indicators of Moslem and national progress as well".

"Which is why NU has to go onward .. so that its members will not turn into a losing community," he said.

In the closing ceremony, which took place only hours after the congress elected new NU leaders in noisy elections, Try was accompanied by Minister of Religious Affairs Tarmizi Taher, and Minister of Home Affairs Yogie S. Memet. Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) Megawati Soekarno was also present.

In his speech, Tarmizi emphasized that the government had never been at odds with NU or its leaders and said that "the nation, including the government, wanted this congress to go on successfully".

He said the government also wanted to see the congress come up with programs and policies which would be on par with future challenges, such as stopping the trend towards secularization.

In good favor

One of NU's most senior leaders, K.H. Munasir Ali, reported to Try Sutrisno about the elections, saying that he was sure the government would see NU's new leaders (Abdurrahman Wahid, K.H. Ilyas Ruhiat and K.H. Sahal Mahfudz) in good favor.

"If NU ulemas like the new leaders enough...then, the government will surely like them more," Munasir said, to loud applause from the participants.

Prior to the elections, the congress was rocked with rumors that the government did not want to see Abdurrahman at the helm because of his frequent criticism of the government.

In contrast to the opening ceremony, when Abdurrahman was notably far ahead of the other the NU leader who sat with President Soeharto, yesterday Abdurrahman greeted and chatted amicably with Try Sutrisno.

Later on in the day, Abdurrahman, also known as Gus Dur, and Megawati Soekarno, told the press that they were ready to cooperate.

"I came here to congratulate Gus Dur...(because) he's like a brother to me," Megawati said. She also praised the ulemas for holding a democratic election which, not unlike her own election to the PDI's helm, was marked with stiff competition.

"The organization has voiced its aspirations and everybody showed the same high spirit," she said.

As for cooperation, "if PDI has activities which are in line with NU's policies, then why not?", Abdurrahman said.

Abdurrahman himself, when asked whether he would take on his stiffest competitor Abu Hasan in the executive board to be established next week, said he had no problem at all.

"It depends on the team to be in charge of the board establishment," he said. "This (organization) is not a kingdom...I'll accept anybody."