NU politicians told to comply with 9 political guidelines

Semarang, NU Online
Scores of clerics attending a NU ulema meeting at Edi Mancoro Islamic boarding school (pesantren), Tuntang, Semarang, Monday called on NU political hopefuls to comply with the nine political guidelines.

The clerics considered those NU cadres involving themselves in practical politics, in fact, tended to put aside what expected by the Nahdliyin-based organization.<>

"We have many times warned those NU followers who involve in politics. But they tend to ignore. That is true there are no such firm sanctions. NU is not a state so that it clearly has no police. Their sanction is moral one," said KH Mustofa Bisri as reading the results of the meeting.

While the pesantren leader, Mahfud Ridwan, as reported by NU Online, said the one-day meeting followed growing concerns among the clerics about possible conflicts between supporters of different parties or within parties and the potentially widespread vote-buying which parties or candidates might engage in.

"If that happens, the election outcomes will contradict our commitment to democracy, religious moral values and the fight against corruption. We will have wasted trillions of rupiahs we spent on the elections if such practices prevail," Mahfud said.

The meeting was attended by many charismatic ulema such as KH Munif Zuhri (Demak), KH Dimyati Rois (Kendal), KH Mahufdz Ridwan (Salatiga), KH Masruri Mughni (Brebes), KH Azhari Abta (Yogya), KH Muchlas Dimyati, KH Thantowi Musyadad (Garut), KH Aziz Mansyur (Jombang), KH Miftahul Achyar (Surabaya), and KH Sadid Jauhari. (Probolinggo). (sam/nam)