NU: Regional elections not to do with NU

Cirebon, NU Online
Nahdlatul Ulama would not involve in any regional elections (Pilkada) in all regions in Indonesia. NU would again and again hold firmly what called as the 1926 Khittah as a religious-social organization not to do with practical politics organizationally at all.

“The Pilkada has nothing to do with NU,” chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Said Aqil Siradj (Kang Said) as responding to a participant's question at a discussion and plenary session of NU Preaching Association (LDNU) in Cirebon, West Java over the weekend asking the NU cadres' defeat in r<>egional elections.

Kang Said said that their defeat in the race could not be considered as the defeat of NU. It was absolutely dealt with the weaknesses of candidates in organizing their power.

As reported by NU Online news portal, political parties in East Java province for instance have recruited members from NU as the dominant local Muslim organization in an apparent strategy to win the gubernatorial election in July.

The Golkar Party, which holds 15 of the 100 seats in the provincial legislature, has nominated chairman of the Nadhlatul Ulama (NU) provincial chapter, Ali Maschan Moesa, as running mate of incumbent vice governor Soenaryo.

The coalition of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and Democratic Party (PD) nominated chairman of the NU-affiliated youth organization, Ansor Syaifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul), as running mate of the secretary of the provincial government, Soekarwo.

The NU-affiliated National Awakening Party (PKB), which formed a coalition with the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), has decided to nominate influential NU figure Achmady as a candidate for governor and is seeking a suitable figure to run alongside him. PKB holds 31 seats in the provincial legislature.

While the Development United Party (PPP) and other minority parties have nominated Khofifah Indar Parawansa as the candidate of governor. (nam)