Danang Sangga Buwana, Jakarta – The deputy chairperson of the leadership board of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Mahfud M.D., has sought to clarify a statement by Gus Dur [PKB chairperson and former President Abdurrahman Wahid] stressing that Gus Dur is not anti-military.

"Last night I discussed this with Gus Dur until 11pm. The conclusion was that Gus Dur is not against people who have a military background. But [he is] against a militaristic or military type leadership", explained Mahfud at a press conference at the PKB's national office in Kuningan, South Jakarta, on Wednesday April 27.

"Gus Dur does not object to a military person becoming a leader, as long as they are democratic. So, what [he] opposes is [a militaristic] way of thinking", asserted Mahfud. As has been reported, on Tuesday Gus Dur stated that he did not support [presidential candidates] Wiranto and SBY [Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono] because they had military backgrounds.

"On the question of Gus Dur stating that he does not support SBY and Wiranto, the context was [that he] does not support them because they are also presidential candidates. How could he support them, after all they are [his] competitors", Mahfud said accusingly. "It is the same with PKB. PKB is not against military people, but the PKB opposes militarism", he emphasised.

According to Mahfud, a militaristic style of leadership can also occur under a civilian leadership. For the PKB, the person who [should] step on to the platform of national leadership is one who is capable of eliminating corruption, collusion and nepotism and upholding the law, whether they be a civilian or a military figure, but not a person with a militaristic way of thinking. (nrl)

[Translated by James Balowski.]