TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A group of ulema from the country’s largest Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) joined in Barisan Kiai dan Santri Nahdliyin Pendukung Prabowo-Sandiaga declared support for presidential and vice presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno on Monday, Oct 22.
The declaration held in NU Museum, Jl. Gayungsari Timur, Surabaya coincided with the launching of Prabowo-Sandiaga campaign post in East Java.
Attended the declaration were Sandiaga Uno, hundreds of supporter, and ulemas including the son of KH Wahab Chasbullah, KH Hasib Wahab Chasbullah; son of KH Maimoen Zubair, KH Najib Maimoen, and KH Choirul Anam.
Hasib Wahas Chasbullah, the leader of Nahdliyin Barisan Kiai and Santri Pendukung Prabowo- Sandiaga, said that Nahdliyin (NU supporters) participated in supporting Prabowo was not listed from the structural board. They, Hasib added, were NU people who in their political view chose Prabowo-Sandiaga whom they deemed taking the side of the common people. "They [Prabowo-Sandiaga] fight for economic improvement and justice," Hasib told Tempo.
Hasib denied the saying that NU was apart due to the 2019 presidential election since NU Rais Aam KH Ma'ruf Amin became Joko Widodo's running mate. According to Hasib, the different support in politics was a natural matter in the organization. "NU is not divided into two camps, but only different in channeling political aspirations.
KUKUH S. WIBOWO
