Race for Rais Aam a test of patience, positioning

Makassar, NU Online
The position of general  chairman (tanfidziyah) is not the only important post up for grabs at the ongoing 32nd congress of the Nahdlatul Ulama.

Another prestigious position, that of Rais aam , or chairman, of the advisory board — one of the most powerful positions of all — must also be filled.<<>;br />
The office is now held by KH Sahal Mahfud, a prominent senior cleric from Pati, Central Java.

Just as with the general chairman of tanfidziyah, the new rais aam will also be elected by branches across the archipelago and some outposts overseas. At least 544 chapters will have a voice in the election. A candidate must be nominated by at least 99 branches to run in the election.

The chairman of the East Java NU Regional Board (PWNU), KH Mohammad Hasan Mutawakkil Alallah, told the Jakarta Globe in Makassar that several names had been floated for the post, including the incumbent Sahal, current general chairman KH Hasyim Muzadi, prominent scholar KH Mustafa Bisri, and KH Ma’ruf Amin, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulema (MUI).

“Rais aam should be held by someone who truly comprehends the history of NU, our struggle, so that he can lead the organization and show direction,” Alallah said. “It is one of the most prestigious positions in the organization.”

So far only Hasyim has been criticized as being inappropriate for the post, with opponents pointing out that under his leadership the NU had been seen as being too involved in politics.

Ulil Abshar Abdalla, a young intellectual vying for the general chairmanship, also said Hasyim was not suited for the position because it should be filled by a cleric with very broad knowledge who would not be easily tempted by earthly matters.

Ulil said that although NU’s senior clerics traditionally never revealed their interest in the post, “I think Hasyim has been showing this attitude of wanting the position. His style is not that of a rais aam but of a politician.”

One of the NU chairmen, KH Masdar Farid Mas’udi, said that ideally a rais aam should be someone very senior.

“This is a moral position. It is probably like what you see with the pope in Catholicism,” he said.

Nur Syam, rector of the Sunan Ampel State Islamic University in Surabaya, said that there was a need for regeneration of the rais aam post, and the ideal candidate will “be relatively free from political interests.”

Hasyim denied he has ambitions to sit as rais aam. “No one has nominated me. You may ask me whether or not I am ready only after I am already nominated,” he said.

Meanwhile, young NU members has taken it upon themselves to ensure that the congress and its elections remain free of vote buying.

“Should a candidate be involved in money politics, the candidate must be kicked out of the NU management for damaging NU’s values and dignity,” said M Khoirul Rijal, who chairs the NU Savior Movement (GPNU).

Rijal said he believed that public trust in the NU and its reputation had been dwindling following the use of the organization by its elite to pursue political aims. The association could evaporate if money politics were allowed to taint the congress, he said.

During the meeting, GPNU plans to monitor all campaign teams and mingle with participants to suss out possible vote buying.

“GPNU will not hesitate to announce the name of the candidate involved in money politics and advocate for the recall of his nomination,” Rijal was quoted by the Jakarta Globe as saying.

Meanwhile, the race for the general chairmanship is heating up, with NU deputy chairman Ahmad Bagdja taking shots against clerics Said Agil Siradj Al Munawar and Salahuddin Wahid. Ahmad criticized the two for having breakfast with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono recently, saying any serious candidate for the position would seek only the support of prominent NU clerics, not politicians. (dar)