NU: Politics must be free from religious sentiments, money politics

Lombok, NU Online
The national meeting (Munas) and major conference (Konbes) of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), ended on Saturday with a call to political parties and politicians to stop using religious sentiments in their activities.

NU also called on law enforcement institutions, including the Corruption Eradication Commission, to monitor money politics and corruption in the 2018 regional elections.

“Exploiting religious sentiments in elections is irresponsible and can damage our nation,”  NU chairman KH Said Aqil Siradj was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying during the closing ceremony of the meeting in West Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, on Saturday.

Held from Nov. 23 to Nov. 25, the Munas and Konbes NU resulted in recommendations for the government, regarding the economy, health, education and preventing radicalism.

NU said the use of religious sentiments in politics can trigger intolerance and radical acts that can threaten the unity of the nation.

“Enforcers of the law must guarantee the constitutional rights of all Indonesian citizens and not bow to pressure from radical groups. They must be bold in taking tough measures to deter against the use of religious sentiments in competition among political parties and politicians,” Said asserted.

NU also called on law enforcement to act boldly against violations of the law, especially in regard to hate speech and incitement of violence committed on behalf of any religion. (Masdar)