PBNU to criticize the statement made by Ansor chairman

Jakarta, NU Online
The Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) has strongly criticized the statement made by chairman of the Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor), Saifullah Yusuf (Gus Ipul) saying that Ansor was not based itself on NU.

General chairman of PBNU KH Hasyim Muzadi said the Gusl Ipul's statement could be considered as an effort of abolishing historical factors between NU and GP Ansor.<>

"...(it is) a real stupidity that should not be stated by a general chairman of Ansor because the statement has deliberately cut historical lines of Ansor itself," said Hasyim in his SMS sent to NU Online here Tuesday (3/2).

Gus Ipul over the weekend said that his organization could remain existing without NU. As for him GP Ansor has so far never used such (additional) names of NU, adding that It was different from other NU  autonomous bodies like Muslimat NU.

"If Ansor, yes, it is enough naming GP Ansor, there is no GP Ansor NU. But if Muslimat there is always additional name behind it, namely Muslimat NU. This means though without NU, Ansor remains existing and without NU it has remained as the fortress of ulema," said Gus Ipul on the sidelines of an inauguration of the GP Ansor of Mojokerto, East Java.

Hasyim personally warned Gus Ipul that GP Ansor was a youth organization that has still been under the umbrella of NU. In addition, the Barisan Ansor Serbaguna (Banser), Hasyim added, was purposefully set up to uphold both religion and Pancasila from any threat posed by communism.

"With the statement, Saifullah has destroyed the struggle of Ansor and NU," Hasyim said, calling on all Nahdliyin (NU followers) to be careful in regard with the statement.
 
Hasyim also said that PBNU was now examining the motive behind the statement. "...examining whether the statement is truly made by Saifullah or there is such a power behind him that is anti-NU and makes use of Saifullah," Hasyim said. (rif)