National IN MEMORIAM: GUS DUR

'Gus Dur would have loudly condemned recent acts of intolerance'

Sabtu, 24 Desember 2016 | 19:31 WIB

Jakarta, NU Online
Former president KH Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, known as a supporter of pluralism, would have been at the forefront of those condemning recent intolerant acts in the country if he were still alive today, a human rights activist said recently.

Hendardi, chairman of human rights organization the Setara Institute, said Gus Dur had contributed a great deal to building up Indonesian pluralism and his vision in this field meant that he deserved to be called a "humanitarian figure".

"Seeing developments in Indonesia recently, Gus Dur would have loudly condemned intolerance, identity politics and all the things that threaten Indonesian diversity," Hendardi said.

Gus Dur was widely respected for his policy of protecting minority groups. Taking power in 1999, Gus Dur, for example, issued a regulation one year later declaring Confucianism, a religion adhered to by many Chinese-Indonesians, as a religion recognized by the state.

The anniversary of his death is remembered every year.

"Although he is no longer able to speak, Gus Dur's teachings are in the hearts of many who struggle to maintain Indonesia's diversity," Hendardi said. (Masdar)