Pramono Values Santri Needs Politics: Otherwise, The Condition Is Chaotic

DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung/PHOTO: Diah Ayu-VOI

JAKARTA - DKI Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung assessed that the involvement of students in politics has a role in maintaining the stability of Indonesian democracy. He said, without political involvement from the santri circles, national political conditions could be more chaotic.

The statement was made by Pramono during a gathering on the commemoration of Santri Day which was held at the DKI Jakarta City Hall. The event was attended by students, caretakers of Islamic boarding schools, and figures of Islamic organizations.

"I grew up together when PKB was founded. I am very close to Gus Dur. And surely Gus Dur's family knows about this. The debate at that time was whether the Nahdlatul Ulama students were political or not. It was a very tough debate in 98-99," said Pramono at DKI Jakarta City Hall, Wednesday, October 22.

He said, in the early days of reform, debate arose among NU about whether students needed to be involved in practical politics. However, according to him, the decision of some students to participate in politics actually had a positive impact on Indonesia's democratic direction.

"Finally, someone says politics, some don't. In my opinion, this choice is nothing wrong if photographed today. Do you imagine if the students, especially Nahdlatul Ulama, didn't participate in the practical political stage? It must be that the conditions are more chaotic," explained Pramono.

Pramono assessed that Islamic boarding schools have given birth to many national figures who have contributed greatly to Indonesia's development. He hopes that the current generation of students will not only explore religious knowledge but also understand national and state issues.

"This Santri Day, the main theme is to Guard Indonesia Merdeka Towards World Civilization. This is a task that does not really need to be debated by Islamic boarding schools or students," he said.

According to him, from time to time, national figures are always born from the pesantren environment. This pattern shows that pesantren continues to be an important part of the process of forming the character of the nation.

"If we look at it, we read from time to time, actually the figure who was born from the Islamic boarding school has never decreased. It always exists. Especially in the current political system which is very democratic and everything is measured in an open voice," said Pramono.

Pramono also reminded the students not to get caught up in symbolic political patterns that only make religion an image tool.

I hope that later in this room, the young people who are now, my children, will not hesitate to study, study religious knowledge, and at the same time explore knowledge about nationality. That is what some of our politicians do not have. Only indeed, apologize, don't then because of memorizing the holy verses of the Qur'an is used as a way to play on the front stage," he explained.

He emphasized that the involvement of students in politics must be built from the learning and experience process, not from instant ambitions to become influential figures.

"So when on various occasions I also criticize, my children are students, don't then fall into the real world, the political world, I want it to suddenly become a big kiai whose words, ideas, influence are imitated. You have to learn a lot," he added.