NU and Muhammadiyah Call for Peaceful Elections

NU and Muhammadiyah agreed to encourage moral leadership in the 2024 election contest.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

General Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Central Board Haedar Nashir (left) and General Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) Yahya Cholil Staquf at the PBNU office, Jakarta, Thursday (25/5/2023).

JAKARTA, KOMPAS — Political elites have been called to ensure that the 2024 general elections run peacefully and in a civilized manner. It is hoped that the buildup to polling day will not simply turn into a political power struggle, but be a space to express ideas and visions for the advancement of Indonesia with the candidates willing to push forward morality and avoid social polarization.

Five months before the registration of the presidential and vice presidential candidate pairs, political party elites look to already be maneuvering in order to win the election. Having been endorsed by their parties, the presidential candidates are also intensely canvassing supports from communities across the country.

Believing that citizens look more to ideas and visions of nationalism, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf has urged commitment from the competing political elites to hold moral values and avoid polarization for the sake of a clean voting process. "We're not saying [morals] aren't present [in the buildup process] yet, but we are seeking them in more magnitude through moral-driven leadership," Yahya said in a joint-communiqué with Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir at the NU Office in Jakarta on Thursday (25/5/2023).

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Accompanied by several members of the Muhammadiyah executive board, which included secretary Abdul Mu'ti, Haedar came to the NU headquarters in the framework of silaturahmi (fostering relations), as well as to introduce the organization’s newly formed board members from its 48^th congress in November. It also appeared to be a reciprocal visit, with the NU's executive board from the 34^th congress having met with their Muhammadiyah counterparts at their office back in 2021.

Yahya said during the two-hour meeting, the NU and Muhammadiyah agreed to encourage moral-driven leadership for the 2024 elections. The two largest religious organizations also resolved to lead by exemplary attitudes themselves in the push for moral-guided leadership.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Chairman of the Central Executive (PP) Muhammadiyah Haedar Nashir (second from left) accompanied by the General Secretary of PP Muhammadiyah Abdul Mu'ti (left) with the general chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) Yahya Cholil Staquf (second from right) accompanied by PBNU Chairman Amin Said Husni explained to journalists regarding the meeting with them at the PBNU office, Jakarta, Thursday (25/5/2023).

Haedar reiterated the need for prospective state leaders to hold on to the commitments laid down by the nation's founding fathers on nationalism and morals. He expressed his confidence that such an approach would help guide the newly elected president or legislative members, who are expected to be knowledgeable on governance, standards as well as political worthiness.

"Moral-guided leadership is crucial so that [candidates] are not merely [motivated] by who gets what and how," he said.

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Prospective candidates were urged to further elaborate on their nationalistic vision in public discussions for the people to be able to see the country’s future orientation.

Candidates were also urged to refrain from activities or statements that could lead to social polarization. "That's where [we see the urgency] to make this joint appeal for moral and vision-guided leadership," Haedar said.

Political morality

Interviewed separately, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto applauded the joint communiqué, saying it was an important milestone in making sure the election did not become vulnerable to moral infringement. He said a restored election mission would guide future leaders to adhere to the national vision, responsibility, morality, ethics and civility.

Gerindra Party deputy chairmam Irfan Yusuf Hakim said the party was committed to a peaceful election, saying that party chairman Prabowo Subianto had emphasized from the onset that the elections should be a contest of ideas, free from animosity.

This article was translated by Musthofid.