Aulia Andri/Fitri & GB, Jakarta – An unlikely group joined the calls for President Abdurrahman Wahid to stand down. Around 40 Muslim clerics of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia's largest Muslim organisation Wahid led for 15 years before becoming president, went to the House of Representatives, demanding Gus Dur – as the president is popularly addressed – stand down.

The delegation held talks with Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Amien Rais at the parliament in Senayan, Jakarta, Monday. Rais is notorious for his opposition to Gus Dur.

The group claimed to represent 400 NU Muslim clerics across West Java province with 5000 Muslim students from 20 regencies and mayoralties. During their encounter with Rais, KH Lili Somantri of Bandung Regency read out a statement prepared by the West Java Muslim clerics.

In essence, they pleaded – with all due respect to Gus Dur – that he stand down. "Mounting emerging problems shows that Gus Dur is incapable of implementing the reform mandate," said KH Lili. He advised Gus Dur to become a national 'guru' to all elements in the country.

The clerics also called on all nations to end violence and settle their differences. "Anarchism is not the best way to show dissatisfaction in politics," said KH Lili adding that all elements should avoid horizontal conflict which only brings suffering to the broader society.

"Blind fanaticism from one group and one figure would only lead us to disintegration," reminded KH Lili. Amongst the 40 clerics, several prominent religious leaders of the province were seen, notably KH Yasin of Sumedang, KH Makmun of Garut, KH Sahibin of Subang, KH Oman Rahman of Purwakarta and KH Agan Sobirin of Karawang.

After meeting the clerics, Amien Rais said their visit exemplified the public's aspirations and that the Assembly welcomed it. "This is a more beautiful expression, sorry, compared to burning things, this is progress," said Amien complementing the clerics.