Jakarta, NU Online
To enhance civil society in the country, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest Islamic organization, needs to return to its original function as a group that does not practice politics, say political observers.
Marwan Ja’far of the National Awakening Party (PKB), one of political parties that claim to represent NU, told a discussion Friday the Muslim organization could prove its commitment to refraining from politics by electing a chairman and chief patron who had no links to political parties at its upcoming congress in Makassar.<>
“We believe that it is very important for the congress to set the organization free from politics,” Marwan said during a discussion that marked his book launch at the House of Representatives building.
Marwan noticed that the direct involvement of a number of the elite NU members within the national political scene had tarnished the image of the organization, which is supposed to focus on public service related to social, education and religious affairs.
“So many leaders have departed from NU’s original goals. They are involved in regional head elections and so on. They should know their place, otherwise they will only plunge the NU deeper into the political pit,” he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.
Marwan also said that the candidates contesting the NU leadership at the congress were basically divided into two groups.
“They are the politically-oriented group and the idealistic group. It is crucial for all NU members to choose and for all NU elite to back up candidates who do not have political agendas,” he said.
Marwan suggested that voters carefully examine the track records of the candidates prior to determining their choice.
“If they vote for candidates who have political agendas, then it is only a matter of time before NU crumbles,” he said.
Another speaker at the discussion, Yudi Latief from Paramadina University, said it would be better for NU to return to its roots to restore its image, while maintaining a certain level of involvement in the political sphere.
“Today is a democratic era and NU should return to its roots, without having to leave politics altogether. NU can contribute to political parties by raising ideas that are related to the common interests of the people,” he said.
At least six candidates will vie for the chairmanship post to replace Hasyim Muzadi. The candidates are Solahuddin Wahid, brother of late Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, noted intellectual Masdar Farid Mas’udi, former chairman of NU’s East Java branch Ali Maschan Moesa, Golkar Party politician Slamet Effendi Yusuf, former NU secretary-general Ahmad Bagja and senior cleric Said Agil Siradj.
Experts have touted Agil and Solahuddin, better known as Gus Solah, as front runners to win the chairmanship.
For selection into the final running, a candidate would require the support of 99 branches out of the 473 branches in 33 regions, and the 14 branches abroad.
NU also announced that the starting date of the congress had been pushed back one day, meaning that the event will now be held from March 23-28. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to open the congress.
Over 3,000 participants and observers from various fields are scheduled to attend the congress. (dar)
To enhance civil society in the country, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest Islamic organization, needs to return to its original function as a group that does not practice politics, say political observers.
Marwan Ja’far of the National Awakening Party (PKB), one of political parties that claim to represent NU, told a discussion Friday the Muslim organization could prove its commitment to refraining from politics by electing a chairman and chief patron who had no links to political parties at its upcoming congress in Makassar.<>
“We believe that it is very important for the congress to set the organization free from politics,” Marwan said during a discussion that marked his book launch at the House of Representatives building.
Marwan noticed that the direct involvement of a number of the elite NU members within the national political scene had tarnished the image of the organization, which is supposed to focus on public service related to social, education and religious affairs.
“So many leaders have departed from NU’s original goals. They are involved in regional head elections and so on. They should know their place, otherwise they will only plunge the NU deeper into the political pit,” he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.
Marwan also said that the candidates contesting the NU leadership at the congress were basically divided into two groups.
“They are the politically-oriented group and the idealistic group. It is crucial for all NU members to choose and for all NU elite to back up candidates who do not have political agendas,” he said.
Marwan suggested that voters carefully examine the track records of the candidates prior to determining their choice.
“If they vote for candidates who have political agendas, then it is only a matter of time before NU crumbles,” he said.
Another speaker at the discussion, Yudi Latief from Paramadina University, said it would be better for NU to return to its roots to restore its image, while maintaining a certain level of involvement in the political sphere.
“Today is a democratic era and NU should return to its roots, without having to leave politics altogether. NU can contribute to political parties by raising ideas that are related to the common interests of the people,” he said.
At least six candidates will vie for the chairmanship post to replace Hasyim Muzadi. The candidates are Solahuddin Wahid, brother of late Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, noted intellectual Masdar Farid Mas’udi, former chairman of NU’s East Java branch Ali Maschan Moesa, Golkar Party politician Slamet Effendi Yusuf, former NU secretary-general Ahmad Bagja and senior cleric Said Agil Siradj.
Experts have touted Agil and Solahuddin, better known as Gus Solah, as front runners to win the chairmanship.
For selection into the final running, a candidate would require the support of 99 branches out of the 473 branches in 33 regions, and the 14 branches abroad.
NU also announced that the starting date of the congress had been pushed back one day, meaning that the event will now be held from March 23-28. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is expected to open the congress.
Over 3,000 participants and observers from various fields are scheduled to attend the congress. (dar)
