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Indonesia: NU May Interfere In Local Politics
by Kazi Mahmood
JAKARTA (IslamOnline) - Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid on Thursday urged the press not to "wake the sleeping tiger up" with reports on demonstrations urging him to resign.
The "sleeping tiger" Wahid referred to is the Banser, or youth wing, of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), a Muslim-based organization that has given complete support to Wahid.
The Banser also acts as the protection guard to NU leaders and are said to be powerful and could interfere in the event the ailing and embattled president is ousted.
"He [Wahid] hopes that the radio and television [networks] would not wake the sleeping tiger up," the chairman of the Indonesian Television Community, Gilang Iskandar, said following his meeting with the president at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
Also at the meeting was Transportation Minister Agum Gumelar.
Quoting the president, Iskandar said the press should not provoke the Banser to come down to Jakarta to counter anti-Wahid demonstrations.
Anti-Wahid demonstrations started in Jakarta Tuesday when a small group of 150 people shouted at Wahid outside the Parliament building.
By Thursday, the demomonstrations had attracted thousands of people to a point that a sea of people could be seen blocking the main avenue leading to the Parliament and the Jakarta city center.
Wahid, upset by these demonstrations and unhappy with the growing crowds warned that the Banser, which he says he does not really control, would enter Jakarta anytime and show its support for Wahid.
The NU is the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia and groups some 30 million people. It is feared that the NU might interfere in the current political drama that has hit the nation.
Wahid does not try for unanimity anymore, while his awkward ruling style seems outdated and does not conform to the needs of a people hungry for reforms and justice, IslamOnline was told.
In a blanket warning to the press, the president told Iskandar that the press should make its reports objective.
Wahid seems to be very unhappy with the free press and is mulling on imposing some limits to the newly found press freedom, Mukhtar said.
Mukhtar, an expert in political science in Jakarta told IslamOnline that certain laws, to be voted on soon, would make it difficult for the local press and television to criticize Wahid and/or the Indonesian government.
He added that if Wahid were to push for muzzling the press, demonstrations and calls for him to resign would increase, possibly destabilizing the country for a long time.
He warned that Wahid should instead listen to the people and abide to the respect of freedom of the press.
Wahid told local television to "Report the fact just the way it is and do not add anything to it,"
"What we understand from his statement is that we should restrain ourselves during this uncertain situation," Iskandar said.
On the law on broadcasting, Wahid expressed hope that it would be used for the interest of the nation.
"Freedom is okay, but it should be exercised with responsibility," Iskandar said, adding that the press should put themselves in a position that would not harm the public.
Meanwhile, Transportation Minister Agum Gumelar said the current law is no longer relevant under the present situation.
"The new law on broadcasting will be more conducive, more democratic, and will reflect freedom from any restraint and monopoly," Gumelar promised.
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