Kurniasih Budi, Jakarta – Ulemas from the Nahdlatul Ulama in the National Awakening Party (PKB), the Ulemas National Awakening Party (PKNU), have said they considered that the role of Ulemas in national politics is lessening.

They wanted to re-emphasize their role in the world of national politics. "PKNU will return Ulemas to their leadership postion in politics," said Ma'ruf Amin, PKNU's Chairman of Mustasyar (a kind of advisory board), in a political speech on PKNU's anniversary at the Senayan sports hall, Jakarta, yesterday (11/11).

Ma'ruf Amin said he regarded that fundamentalist and secular movements have threatened the sovereignty of the nation's performance and unity.

Ulemas, he said, should move through a medium of an Islamic, moderate and nationalistic political party institution in order to maintain the nation's unity.

Ulemas have agreed to support the establishment of the Ulemas National Awakening Party by former PKB East Java management member who was dismissed, Choirul Anam.

PKB dismissed Choirul Anam as he violated the Surabaya congress as the counter of the Semarang congress. During the Surabaya congress, Anam was elected general chairman.

These two congresses occurred due an the internal conflict in PKB, between former Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf and General Chairman Iskandar Saifullah, who was supported by Anam, and preferred to leave the PKB after the Ulemas and Anam established PKNU.

Not only PKB, PKNU's Syuro (Advisory) Council Chairman, Chudori, said that he considered in general political parties failed to make people prosperous.

PKNI does not follow parties which is Islamic fundamental-based. The reason is, "The government must be based on democracy and tradition by prioritizing religious souls."