Nahdliyin told to wait for KPU official decision

Surabaya, NU Online
General Chairman of the country's largest Muslim organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) KH Said Aqil Siroj, popularly known as Kiai Said, appealed to all Nahdliyin (NU members) not to celebrate or attend any celebration of the victory of the two pairs of presidential and vice-presidential candidates in the 2019 Presidential Election.

"If the victory is not yet (declared). Never celebrate it until the KPU (General Election Commission) announces [its official decision]," he said after meeting with a number of figures in Surabaya on Friday (4/19).

But if the context is to celebrate the run of a peaceful, safe and controlled election, Kiai Said added, that was legitimate.

"If celebrating the election that it has been running safely it is good, that the Indonesian people have conducted elections safely, peacefully and there has been no meaningful incident, there was a small incident, but we are grateful for that," he said.

Nevertheless, he hoped that Nahdliyin could wait for the KPU's official results calmly, patiently and avoid unconstitutional matters being able to threaten disunity in the community and lead to riots.

Nahdliyin, Kiai Said added, must be cool-headed, mature, and spacious, while preparing the reconciliation step after the KPU announced the final results.

"Nahdliyin must patiently wait for the KPU results, they should not do things that can disrupt security, disturb cohesion, such as things that will threaten possible divisions and riots," he said. (Masdar)