The statement made by one of the chairmen of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) H Abbas Muin, saying that there were many main programs of NU having so far remained being ignored such as organizational effectiveness, cadre recruitment, economic development and even the program related to the national politics which should soon be carried out. All this is due to the fact that NU has had no such independence in finance. As a result, this organization has most of the time carried out any program financed by such parties as the government, companies, foreign funding agencies and so on.
The statement has reminded us of what KH Ahmad Shiddiq said at the Yokyakarta's NU Congress that NU was not like a taxi may easily be brought by its lessee anywhere, but it was like a train which has its own track. Nor it was a suitcase which contains anything because NU has, again and again, had its own track. The warning voiced by the Rais Aam (general chairman of the advisory board) of PBNU seems to have no longer been heard. As if NU has now become a taxi or suitcase being able to contain many things. In consequence it is understandable if there have been some NU structural figures expressing their deep concern over the scene.<>
The scarcity of the cadre recruitment seems to be the main cause of the unfavorable situation. As a result there have been many cadres knowing nothing about the Khittah (principle) and the line of thought of NU. Whereas NU has its line of struggle which has all of the time been reiterated in its every national meeting and congress. Unfortunately many NU activists have never referred to the NU constitution so that most programs of theirs have not been appropriate with the line of struggle of NU. At this point they have undertaken programs possibly littered with the agenda of other parties. If such situation is like this, what is to say is that the nature of NU as an organization would in turn fade and become such an event organizer, carrying out any agenda from other parties solely for getting money.
In addition to the poor of cadre recruitment, it is also due to, again and again, the fact that NU has not been financially independent. For that reason, NU should start considering the importance of fund raising from its own followers so that it can finance its own activities independently. Actually the NU independence has not yet been faded, a couple years ago all activities of the organization could be financed through the contribution from people both financially and naturally. The weakening independence must in turn be restrengthened.
Furthermore NU has huge assets in the form of land, buildings and many other valuable ones. If the assets can professionally be managed they would certainly give such advantages. All this is really in need of a professional and reliable management from the Nahdliyin (NU followers) themselves. In difficult circumstances in the colonial era, NU could reject any assistance offered by the Dutch in order not to interfere in NU internal affairs. Similarly during the repressive New Order era, NU remained standing strong and could be capable of carrying out its own activities. NU was born and run based on the independence of its followers to stay survive for rejecting any cooperation with the Dutch so that NU in the meantime became a big and respected organization. So it is really strange if a big long-established organization can not be well-managed whereas there are many social funds which can be used.
When the program of recruiting cadres can not be carried out and even become a main obstacle to strengthen the independence, the program must constantly be taken into account to produce highly qualified leaders being capable of managing the organization and whose strong character in maintaining the mentality of Nahdliyin in order not to be trapped into short-term pragmatism. Maintaining the independence of Nahdliyin is in need of a strong stamina because NU as a big organization will also always face strong push and pressure. Only strong and high integrity cadres can hold this mandate so that NU will be able to play its big roles in empowering society and its presence will also give advantages and be respected.
All this relates to the organizational reorientation. While at the same time the reorientation is not an easy work and will need long period of time and patience. Along with the strong political pressures recently involving NU cadres, this step seems to increasingly be difficult to realize. The selection for cadres that will be promoted is absolutely important to produce the leaders being able to do their best and devote themselves to NU. (Abdul Mun’im DZ)
The statement has reminded us of what KH Ahmad Shiddiq said at the Yokyakarta's NU Congress that NU was not like a taxi may easily be brought by its lessee anywhere, but it was like a train which has its own track. Nor it was a suitcase which contains anything because NU has, again and again, had its own track. The warning voiced by the Rais Aam (general chairman of the advisory board) of PBNU seems to have no longer been heard. As if NU has now become a taxi or suitcase being able to contain many things. In consequence it is understandable if there have been some NU structural figures expressing their deep concern over the scene.<>
The scarcity of the cadre recruitment seems to be the main cause of the unfavorable situation. As a result there have been many cadres knowing nothing about the Khittah (principle) and the line of thought of NU. Whereas NU has its line of struggle which has all of the time been reiterated in its every national meeting and congress. Unfortunately many NU activists have never referred to the NU constitution so that most programs of theirs have not been appropriate with the line of struggle of NU. At this point they have undertaken programs possibly littered with the agenda of other parties. If such situation is like this, what is to say is that the nature of NU as an organization would in turn fade and become such an event organizer, carrying out any agenda from other parties solely for getting money.
In addition to the poor of cadre recruitment, it is also due to, again and again, the fact that NU has not been financially independent. For that reason, NU should start considering the importance of fund raising from its own followers so that it can finance its own activities independently. Actually the NU independence has not yet been faded, a couple years ago all activities of the organization could be financed through the contribution from people both financially and naturally. The weakening independence must in turn be restrengthened.
Furthermore NU has huge assets in the form of land, buildings and many other valuable ones. If the assets can professionally be managed they would certainly give such advantages. All this is really in need of a professional and reliable management from the Nahdliyin (NU followers) themselves. In difficult circumstances in the colonial era, NU could reject any assistance offered by the Dutch in order not to interfere in NU internal affairs. Similarly during the repressive New Order era, NU remained standing strong and could be capable of carrying out its own activities. NU was born and run based on the independence of its followers to stay survive for rejecting any cooperation with the Dutch so that NU in the meantime became a big and respected organization. So it is really strange if a big long-established organization can not be well-managed whereas there are many social funds which can be used.
When the program of recruiting cadres can not be carried out and even become a main obstacle to strengthen the independence, the program must constantly be taken into account to produce highly qualified leaders being capable of managing the organization and whose strong character in maintaining the mentality of Nahdliyin in order not to be trapped into short-term pragmatism. Maintaining the independence of Nahdliyin is in need of a strong stamina because NU as a big organization will also always face strong push and pressure. Only strong and high integrity cadres can hold this mandate so that NU will be able to play its big roles in empowering society and its presence will also give advantages and be respected.
All this relates to the organizational reorientation. While at the same time the reorientation is not an easy work and will need long period of time and patience. Along with the strong political pressures recently involving NU cadres, this step seems to increasingly be difficult to realize. The selection for cadres that will be promoted is absolutely important to produce the leaders being able to do their best and devote themselves to NU. (Abdul Mun’im DZ)
