Tug-of-war within NU

From Merdeka

The tug of war between the young leader KH Abdurrachman Wachid (Gus Dur) and the senior leader H. Abu Hasan is apparently becoming protracted and there are no signs that any of the two parties are willing to concede. Lately the conflict even seems to have sharpened, thereby leading NU into the trap of internal conflict which gives cause for concern.

This internal conflict is growing wider and now disregards the doctrine defined by the former ulemas and elders whose fatwa were respected by all NU members throughout this country. This is evident by the recent formation of a new faction calling itself the Sons and Daughters of Founders of NU, sponsored by KH Shohib Hasbulloh of the Islamic learning institution Pondok Pesantren Den Anyar, Jombang. The group has asked for Gus Dur to step down as general chairman of the NU board. He was elected during the 29th NU Conference. This should be done at an extraordinary conference, which, according to the group's members, has gained much support from religious scholars outside the group.

All this is causing great concern among NU members because the emergence of the new faction occurred at a time when Gus Dur is busy consolidating the organization's branches and chapters in order to overcome the differences and establish unity and a cohesion of minds in the spirit of Islamic brotherhood and national unity.

It seems that some older leaders who support H. Abu Hasan cannot accept their defeat at the 29th NU Conference. Some prominent personalities and leaders within NU are politically immature. They have never studied the theory or strategy of modern politics so they still think along the old pattern -- in a simple and straightforward manner. They believe that elders determine all and are frustrated when their wishes are unfulfilled. The move for an extraordinary conference will not cause their ambitions to become reality. On the contrary, it will cause harm, particularly to the younger generation.

K. ABDUL WACHID SURIS

Surabaya