National

Alissa Wahid: Gus Dur puts humanity above politics

Sab, 22 Desember 2018 | 04:14 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
The eldest daughter of the 4th Indonesian President KH Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Alissa Wahid, stressed that his father's struggle was based on religious, humanitarian, national and democratic values. Humanity was placed by Gus Dur above political interests.

"This moment is to examine the example of his life journey. We took from his words, namely 'what is more important than politics is humanity'," Alissa said in a so-called haul to commemorate the 9th year of Gus Dur's death in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, Friday (12/21).

Alissa explained that the phrase 'more important than politics is humanity' was also the theme of this year's Gus Dur's 9th haul. According to Alissa, the phrase is very relevant to Indonesian life in the middle of the current political year.

"In this political year, we can study the footsteps of Gus Dur when certain groups are busy with their struggle for political thrones," he said, adding that Indonesia was in need of a "different political face, politics for humanity and there again we find Gus Dur's footsteps."

Alissa told stories about Gus Dur when he came to power. According to Alissa, many of Gus Dur's policies and attitudes were more concerned with his people than power, began to come to East Timor after being separated from Indonesia , including changing the name of Irian Jaya to Papua.

Alissa told the story of Gus Dur's fall from the presidency in 2001, adding that at first Gus Dur wanted to defend his power for not being found guilty constitutionally.

"Why are you still defend (your power), you have a lot of enemies, haven't you? Then he said, 'My daughter, we are fighting for the truth, the truth cannot be polled. I will not give up because I are not constitutionally guilty," Alissa said.

Then Gus Dur changed his mind and was willing to leave the State Palace.

According to Alissa, Gus Dur was willing and sincere to put aside his position because he heard reports that there would be a mass movement leading to the State Palace to defend him.

"He heard, there were thousands of people moving to Jakarta, ready to jihad to defend their leaders. That news made Gus Dur leave the Palace. Because there is not one position worthy of spilling the blood of his people, so humanity is put above politics," she said.

A number of figures also attended such as Mahfud MD, Minister of Religious Affairs Lukman Hakim Saifuddin, Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque KH Nasaruddin Umar, Jimly Asshiddiqie, Agum Gumelar, Luhut Binsar Panjaitan, Sujiwo Tejo, KH Zawawi Imron.

Present also at the occasion were Habib Abu Bakar Al-Attas, Ebiet G Ade, Tuti Herati Nurhadi, journalist Aritides Katoppo, and others. (Fathoni/Masdar)