PKNU founders ban money politics

Sidoarjo, NU Online
Scores of influential clerics of the National Ulema Awakening Party (PKNU) initiated an agreement, banning all its legislative hopefuls and cadres from involving in money politics.

Ahead of the upcoming legislative and presidential elections, the clerics who were also the declarators of the split off from the National Awakening Party (PKB), made the agreement on the sidelines of a meeting held at the Sinar Hotel, Jalan Juanda, Sidoarjo, East Java, on Sunday (22/3).<>

The prominent clerics, among others, were KH Abdullah Faqih (Langitan), KH Idris Marzuki (Lirboyo), KH Mas Subadar (Pasuruan) and KH Sholeh Qosim (Sidoarjo). Present also at the occasion were KH Hamid Baidhowi (Lasem), KH Maksum Munawir (Jogjakarta), KH Abdurrahman Khudhori, KH Nurul Huda Jazuli, and many others.

General chairman of the PKNU Choirul Anam, better known as Cak Anam, said the meeting was aimed at discussing a possible recommendation to the party's cadres in regions. In addition to banning money politics, the clerics also called on the party's sympathizers to succeed the elections and prayed for its triumph, he said.

"The PKNU has called on the (party's) cadres and sympathizers to have such spiritual struggle (mujahadah) in the form of prayer. Through this mujahadah, we expect a victory blessed by God," Cak Anam said, adding the PKNU was the umbrella of struggle of ulema (Islamic scholars).

In the meantime Cak Anam also called on the PKNU cadres to have sincere intention in their obedience and struggle in accordance with the aims of the party as a means to struggle for the truth and justice solely for worshiping God.

"In terms of the money politics, in addition to violating regulations, it is also opposed to the religious laws. We really hate and forbid it," Cak Anam was quoted by Jawa Pos daily as saying. (dar)