NU calls on PKNU and PKB to unite

Jakarta, NU Online
The 2009 legislative elections might be the worst for such NU-based parties as the National Ulema Awakening Party (PKNU) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) could not be able to secure a significant number of votes.

Even the PKNU initiated by scores of senior ulema (Islamic scholars) could not be able to obtain seats in the legislature  for not being able to reach the parliamentary threshold.<>

General chairman of the Central Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) KH Hasyim Muzadi expected the failure of the two parties in this year's elections to be used as a means to introspect before taking part again in coming elections. Hasyim also called on both the PKB and the PKNU to unite.

"If the PKNU can not reach the parliamentary threshold, it should ideally merge with the PKB so that the NU-based party is only one. While the United Development Party cannot do so because it is in combination with other (political) groups," Hasyim told reporters here Monday (20/4).

He also explained that the decline in the popularity of well established political parties like Golkar party, Indonesian Democratic Part of Struggle (PDIP), PPP and PKB was due to the fact that supporters have got bored with the old parties. At this point, he said, the supporters were in need of such party's refreshment and reorientation.

"It is necessary to do such refreshment towards the vision, mission and leadership within party. And never forget to know the attention of NU-based parties to Nahdliyin (NU followers) because many are from NU but they do not return to NU, this should be corrected," Hasyim said. (mkf)