Jabat Dewan Syura Hasil Muktamar Bali, Ma'ruf Batal Jadi Pendara Konfeksi PBNU-PKB?

Political observer from Padjadjaran University, Idil Akbar, assesses that Vice President (Wapres) Ma'ruf Amin has not carried out his function as a mediator in the dispute between the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the Executive Board of Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU).

He considered that Ma'ruf's role in bridging the polemic that occurred between PKB and PBNU to the PKB VI Congress in Nusa Dua, Bali was completed. "If Mr. Kiai Ma'ru Amin wants to become a mediator, what should be done is at least bring together interested parties," said Idil, Tuesday, August 27, 2024.

Ma'ruf, who was once Rais Aam PBNU, previously admitted that he was willing to mediate the PKB-PBNU conflict. He wants to find a solution for the common interest with the urge to reconcile something is a religious order.

However, he said, Ma'ruf had not taken concrete actions to become a peace interpreter to relieve the heat of PKB relations with PBNU until now.

"So far, the congress has not revealed a problem solving, what Mr. Ma'ruf has done cannot be said to be successful in reconciling, there has been no concrete effort," he said.

Furthermore, Idil views the dilemma of the new position given to Ma'ruf as Chairman of the PKB Shura Council as the result of the Bali Congress. That's because, he continued, Ma'ruf held in the midst of resolving the PKB-PBNU conflict.

"That position (Dewan Syura) is also in a dilemma, because Mr. Ma'ruf cannot side with one of them," said Idil.

However, there is an opportunity because Ma'ruf's new position can be more accepted as a peacekeeper from both the PKB and PBNU.

"There is an effort to approach PKB to provide space for Ma'ruf Amin to connect with NU/PBNU. He is placed as the Shura Council. Maybe from there there there will be concrete impacts that can be done by Mr. Ma'ruf to become a mediator," he said.

On the one hand, he continued, the PBNU-PKB conflict should be resolved immediately. Protracted disputes can have a negative impact between parties who are arguing, as well as raise the anxiety of Nahdliyin residents.

Idil assessed the need for a peacekeeper other than Ma'ruf so that real efforts to reconcile should be realized immediately. According to him, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) kiai that is famous for other Nahdliyin can be involved or involved in the framework of resolving this issue.

"Ma'ruf Amin is only one alternative," he said.

"So another alternative is needed, say that other respected kiai in PKB and PBNU can be invited," continued Idil.

Previously, Vice President Ma'ruf Amin admitted that he was ready to become a peaceful conflict between PBNU and PKB. The former chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) wants mediation from both parties who are at odds.

According to Ma'ruf, reconciling the two parties at odds is a religious order. This is also based on Ma'ruf who feels responsible as the founder of PKB and was active in PBNU.

However, Ma'ruf emphasized that he would refrain from becoming a peacekeeper for the PKB-PBNU conflict if one party made him a 'bullet' to attack each other.

"But if you only look for bullets, to hit one, only ask from me but it is used for bullets, to hit the other, I am not willing," said Ma'ruf in a written statement, Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

Shortly after this wish, Ma'ruf representing President Joko Widodo attended the PKB VI Congress in Nusa Dua, Bali which took place on August 24-25, 2024.

On this occasion, Ma'ruf was appointed Chairman of the PKB Shura Council for the period 2024-2029 as a result of the Bali PKB Congress. Until the Bali Congress was over, Ma'ruf had not shown his efforts to mediate the PKB-PBNU conflict.