Undaunted Abu Hasan moves to form new NU board
JAKARTA (JP): Undaunted by threats of punishment from the leaders of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), dissenter Abu Hasan goes on with his plan to establish an extra-structural body within the Moslem organization.
In defiance of the camp of NU chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, he assembled at his residence on Thursday 30 ulemas whom he already named in the line-up of the body. He called it the "Coordinating Board for the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama" (KPPNU).
Although the body bears a resemblance in structure with the NU executive board, he refused to call it a "rival board".
"This is not a rival board, the press made it all up," he said tensely. "We are not separatist...separatism is an outdated concept, a lie".
"We are members of NU, and we love and respect this organization now as much as we did when it was first established by Hasjim Asjhari."
The meeting of the dissenting ulemas, which was originally intended for inducting members of the new body, started grimly. Abu Hasan sat impassively, flanked by his supporters, and no small talk was heard among those present.
The atmosphere changed soon after Abu Hasan began the meeting by reading a statement of K.H. Idham Chalid, a respected NU scholar, supporting Abu's moves and the extra-structural body.
"I fully support Abu Hasan and the KPPNU with all my heart and soul," Idham was quoted by Abu Hasan, to loud applause from the attending ulemas.
Idham, a former NU chairman, had previously expressed his reluctance to be included in any form of administration post at the organization, citing health problems. Prior to the NU congress earlier this month, he rejected calls from various quarters that he help command the organization by assuming an advisory post.
Abu Hasan, a businessman and one of NU's major financial donors, denied press reports which said that a number of prominent ulemas he named in the KPPNU line-up had deserted him.
"This is a coordinating board, people can join or leave it freely," he said. He added he was sure of the support of ulemas like Zainuddin M.Z.
Through his secretary Bagus Satriyanto, Zainuddin had told Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of NU executive board elected in the congress, that he was not informed of Abu Hasan's plan to include him in KPPNU.
Abu Hasan set up the KPPNU in structures exactly like the original board. Which means that it has a Mustasyar (advisory council), a Syuriyah (law-making body), and a Tanfidzyah (executive board). Abu Hasan named himself as chairman of the Tanfidzyah. His secretary-general is Chozin Husnin. Idham Chalid is the Mustasyar chairman and K.H. Syukron Makmun is the Syuriyah chairman.
On Wednesday, Abdurrahman Wahid and his camp stated that as far as they were concerned, the rival board established by the camp of Abu Hasan was non-existent. Abdurrahman's secretary- general, Achmad Bagdja, even threatened that the board would punish Abu Hasan for dissension.
On Thursday Abu Hasan labeled certain individuals in the rival camp as munkar, a strong word to use against Moslems as it denotes repudiation of faith. "There's no way that we can forgive and forget these munkar individuals," he said, adding that his camp, however, is still hoping that the government would finally approve of the new body.
Ismail Hasan Metareum, chairman of the Moslem-oriented United Development Party (PPP), expressed concern on Thursday about the developments in NU, but said he was optimistic that reconciliation could be established.
According to the PPP leader, who frustrated certain NU leaders bids to make the party's top post during August's election, individuals in both camps are mature and experienced people.
"I'm sure they will finally cooperate...(the conflicts) will be over," he said. (swe)