ID :
36377
Thu, 12/18/2008 - 22:55
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/36377
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HASYIM AGAINST FORMATION OF CENTRAL AXIS
Jakarta, Dec 18 (ANTARA) - Hasyim Muzadi, chairman of one of Indonesia's largest Moslem organizations Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), said he was against the idea of setting up a central axis to unite Moslem votes ahead of the general elections next year.
"I am against it, especialy because Moslem organizations such as NU and Muhammadiyah will be used as the unifying force," he said.
The idea to set up a central axis was raised by Din Syamsuddin, chairman of Muhammadiyah, also one of the largest Islamic organizations in the country.
Hasyim said efforts to unify Moslem votes through mass organizations like NU and Muhammadiyah could cause divisions and alienation.
"Sentiments to prioritize one's own groups are likely to prevail," he said referring to the breakup of the central axis that occurred after the victory of their candidate Gus Dur in the 1999 general elections.
He said unifying Moslem votes through mass organizations would also be difficult to do because a lot of mass organization cadres such as from NU and Muhammadiyah were active in various political parties that had their own agendas.
"Efforts by leaders of mass organizations to consolidate their members around one power center will also be difficult to make because many figures in the organizations also have different interests that will certainly make their agenda and venues also different," he said.
Hasyim said if they indeed wanted to unify Moslem votes they had to find a figure who was acceptable to all sides and also a platform that was also acceptable to all sides.
"So, it will be the people who will directly support him so there will be no polarization of mass organizations," he said.
Hasyim was a vice presidential candidate in the 2004 presidential election pairing up with Megawati as the presidential candidate.
Hasyim said if it was a figure that would be taken as the unifying force he would have to have total commitment to the people. "Unfortunately, no figure has been able to unite the Moslems' interest totally as none has won the people's trust," he said.
"I am against it, especialy because Moslem organizations such as NU and Muhammadiyah will be used as the unifying force," he said.
The idea to set up a central axis was raised by Din Syamsuddin, chairman of Muhammadiyah, also one of the largest Islamic organizations in the country.
Hasyim said efforts to unify Moslem votes through mass organizations like NU and Muhammadiyah could cause divisions and alienation.
"Sentiments to prioritize one's own groups are likely to prevail," he said referring to the breakup of the central axis that occurred after the victory of their candidate Gus Dur in the 1999 general elections.
He said unifying Moslem votes through mass organizations would also be difficult to do because a lot of mass organization cadres such as from NU and Muhammadiyah were active in various political parties that had their own agendas.
"Efforts by leaders of mass organizations to consolidate their members around one power center will also be difficult to make because many figures in the organizations also have different interests that will certainly make their agenda and venues also different," he said.
Hasyim said if they indeed wanted to unify Moslem votes they had to find a figure who was acceptable to all sides and also a platform that was also acceptable to all sides.
"So, it will be the people who will directly support him so there will be no polarization of mass organizations," he said.
Hasyim was a vice presidential candidate in the 2004 presidential election pairing up with Megawati as the presidential candidate.
Hasyim said if it was a figure that would be taken as the unifying force he would have to have total commitment to the people. "Unfortunately, no figure has been able to unite the Moslems' interest totally as none has won the people's trust," he said.
