The time when Rais Aam resigned

The 22nd Muktamar (conference) was a tough one. We can imagine how hard it was, since it was held six months after the Presidential Decree 5 July 1959 released. Finally, NU had to respond seriously toward the process of being back to UUD 1945, as well as the Demokrasi Terpimpin (guided non-parliamentary democracy) concept. It was at least reflected in the opening speech of Rais Aam while opening the Muktamar 13 December 1959 in Jakarta.

Coming close to the end of Muktamar 17 December, there was the time of election. But before that, the plenary session chairman gave the time for Rais Aam Kiai Wahab Chasbullah, in the name of PBNU, to officially state their resignation.<>

Kiai Wahab who was physically small, but intellectually smart, saw that the situation in the plenary session was not too alive. The Muktamirin (members) looked so spiritless. In fact, it was only eight a.m. It was understandable since the entire night, they had just discussed tough things like Demokrasi Terpimpin, Indonesian Sosialism, and Ekonomi Terpimpin (Guided non-parliamentary economy) presented by H. Zainul Arifin.

Arriving on the podium, the charismatic Kiai (ulema) gave salam (greetings), “Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakaatuh,” then it was replied not too enthusiastically by the members.

Observing such condition, Kiai Wahab remarked funnily, “I just want to greet you once …not three times…because you are all still tired. After all, we don’t have much time.” Such spontaneous statement created burst of laughter of the members. Knowing that his provoking attempt to refresh the condition successful, he then delivered his speech.

“We, all of PBNU boards hand over the mandates that you gave to us 3 years ago at Muktamar in Medan. Even though there are lots of imperfectness in this period, you have accepted our responsibility report in acclamation. If there is still something incomplete and you can not accept it… innal hasanata yudzhibna syayyiat (Verily, goodness will swept away badness), the most important thing is we have done the amanat as hard as we could.”

“Yes… if the goodness was excessive?” said Kiai Bisri Sansuri interrupted. “If there was only small goodness, we could only erase the small badness. If the goodness and the mistake were at the same amount, it could be draw, and did not mean anything.”

Listening to such satire from the Vice Rois Aam, all members laughed at once. Then, Kiai Bisri made an example. “if the goodness was big as syahid death, then the mistake erased was also big.”

Then Kiai Wahab continued his speech. “About iqolah (resignation), it had become the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad and his sahabat (followers). Therefore, starting from this time, I declare PBNU boards resigned, and hand over the mandates to Muktamar. In order to avoid vacuum of power, we need to choose a temporary chairman, to lead the session. But he must give the power when PBNU boards already formed.

“Correct, agree!” the members answered with laughter.

The election was held in a relaxed atmosphere. The result was in acclamation Kiai Wahab was chosen again as rais Aam PBNU, and Idham Cholid was chosen again as Tanfidziyah Chairman. Then, the two leaders delivered their short speech, and the session was ended. The muktamar was successfully held. (Mun’im DZ). (ay)