NU supports one ticket in East Java governor election

Surabaya, NU Online
Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s biggest Islamic organization, says it will only endorse one candidate for next year’s gubernatorial election in East Java.<>

Noor Hadi, a spokesman for the organization’s provincial chapter, said recently that the decision was made to avoid the bitter rift between NU clerics in the 2008 election when rival candidates both claimed support from the NU.

That election for governor saw NU member Khofifah Indarparawansa square off against Soekarwo, whose running mate, Saifullah Yusuf, was also a key NU figure.

Soekarwo and Saifullah went on to win a close race that was tainted by allegations of widespread voter fraud that led to a revote in one district.

“From our experience in the 2008 gubernatorial election, NU clerics were split between those supporting Soekarwo and Saifullah, and those backing Khofifah and Mujiono,” Noor said as quoted by the Jakarta Globe. “That rift lasted for a long time afterward.”

He added that many of those who backed the winning ticket now regretted their decision because it appeared that Soekarwo and Saifullah had done little to help the NU’s development.

“A lot of clerics are disappointed with them because ever since they won the election they don’t seem to be listening to the clerics anymore,” Noor said.

Soekarwo is seeking re-election in the poll scheduled for Aug. 29, although Saifullah is said to be considering a bid of his own. Khofifah, meanwhile, is expected to run again, this time with Bambang Dwi Hartono, the deputy mayor of Surabaya.

KH Muttawakil Alalla, the head of the NU’s East Java chapter, said that although the organization would endorse a single ticket, this did not constitute formal backing for that candidate.

“As an organization the NU has never issued a formal statement on practical politics, including on formally backing a gubernatorial candidate,” he said.

The organization’s support, he added, would be moral in nature.

Muttawakil said that most NU clerics would likely back Saifullah in challenging his boss for the governor’s seat because they wanted to have one of their own in charge of the province.

“Gus Ipul is just the deputy governor right now, not the one who holds full power,” he said, referring to Saifullah by his nickname. “NU members want an NU figure to be the governor, and that’s a realistic expectation.”

NU has an estimated 90 million members nationwide.

Editor : Sudarto Murtaufiq