Rais Aam: It's the first time NU to lead national education ministry
Selasa, 27 Oktober 2009 | 02:07 WIB
Since the establsihment of the republic, minister of national education has never been held by Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) cadres. But in the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's United Indonesia Cabinet, the post has been served by one of NU cadres, namely Muhammad Nuh.
"It's the first time NU holds (national) education ministry," general chairman of lawmaking body (Rais Aam) of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Sahal Mahfudh told NU Online at the PBNU headquarters in Jakarta on Monday (26/10).<>
Asked about high expectation for Muhammad Nuh to focus more on educational institutions within the NU milieu having so far been "put aside" by the government, Kiai Sahal said that he did not expect Nuh to deal with certain programs despite of his close relationship with the former minister of communication and information.
Kiai sahal said that all the programs could not be directly addressed for NU alone, saying that the most important thing which should be focused by Muhammad Nuh was how all his programs are for developing the national education.
"Now, the most important thing is his orientation, namely the orientation on national education," the leader of Maslakul Huda Islamic boarding school (pesantren) said.
He did expect Muhammad NU to play important roles in developing the national education. "Let Pak Nuh having opportunity develop the national education."
While chairman of the PBNU, KH Masdar Farid Mas’udi, was reluctant to comment on the matter, saying he considered Yudhoyono a regular “NU person”.
“We’re glad the President has put his trust in many of our members in the effort to make the nation more prosperous,” he said recently.
He added he expected they would all work hard to fulfill the president’s campaign promises and give their best to improve the people’s welfare.
“We as a community organization can only support them so that their programs are a success over the next five years,” Masdar said.
He added that he hoped the new ministers would involve mass organizations such as NU in implementing their programs, especially in education, the environment and social issues, pointing out such organizations could put the government directly in touch with voters.
Asked for his opinion on the president’s performance in his first term, Masdar said it could only be appraised from Yudhoyono’s being re-elected.
“The fact he was re-elected shows people have appraised him positively,” he said.
“Whatever, let’s just move forward and hope they can all work harder and we in the meantime will support their efforts.” (nam)