E. Java NU proposes general chairman to be elected by Rais Aam

Surabaya, NU Online
The Nahdlatul Ulama Regional Board (PWNU) of East Java has  proposed general chairman (tanfidziyah) of the Central Board of  Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) to be elected by what so-called as Rais  Aam (general chairman of the advisory council) instead of being  elected by the NU congress participants.

"There are three options in electing the PBNU general chairman. But  we tend to choose the option stipulating the PBNU general chairman  to directly be elected by Rais Aam," deputy chairman of the PWNU  Sholeh Hayat told reporters here over the weekend.<>

This mechanism, Sholeh said, was intended to realize the general  chairman obedience to Rais Aam, adding that the PWNU did not  want to see a possible disharmonious relationship between Rais  Aam and general chairman in the Nahdliyin-based organization.

For that reason, he said, the PWNU would call on all participants to  reconsider the importance of revising basic "AD/ART" regulations for  the organization in the NU congress which will be held in the next  few days.

The same proposal was also ever voiced by general chairman of the NU sufi order association so-called as Jam'iyyah Ahlith Thariqah Al Mu'tabaroh An Nahdliyyah Habib Luthfi that the control of organization should expectedly be returned to the syuriyah (lawmaking body).

He said the general chairman position was extremely needed to do any technical matters such as administration and the implementation of programs. But in this regard, he added, the position should be handed over by Syuriyah instead of being elected by congress participants (muktamirin).

All this, he said, was aimed at anticipating any possible difference between the executive and the advisory board in dealing with the implementation of programs.

In other words, if the general chairman position is determined by the congress participants, Rais Aam will no longer be able to do anything at least to warn the executive for implementing programs not based on directions of the syuriyah.

He reiterated that the importance of the role of syuriyah in determining its partner (general chairman of the executive board) was to both monitor and warn the general chairman for implementing programs which are probably not appropriate with the organizational principles and decisions. Even the syuriyah has the right to replace the position of the general chairman.

The initiative of a single command within the body of the Indonesia's largest Muslim organization could be a solution for various problems facing the organization.

Habib Luthfi called on his two guests to remain upholding and preserving the teachings of Ahlussunnah wal Jamaah (Aswaja). Moreover, he said, there had recently been those willing to threaten the teachings of Nahdliyin (NU followers).

Habib Luthfi also said that he personally would support anybody mandated to be general chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) since he can maintain and preserve the teachings of Aswaja.

He said that any position within the organization should not be pursued for the position is the mandate, adding that wherever the NU cadres were, they should always be ready to be 'positioned'.

As for him, those willing to struggle for NU should not always expect such positions as Rais Aam and general chairman of the executive board, saying the service and struggle for NU could be given in accordance with their own capability. (nam)