Head Of PAN Calls NU And Muhammadiyah Keepers Of The Republic Of Indonesia

NU Century Simpsoum event at the Sheraton Hotel Surabaya, East Java, Saturday (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the DPP PAN Zulkifli Hasan assessed that Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah were two "wings of Garuda" who guarded the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) because of that, his party consistently fought for the ideas of the two organizations.

He said this at the NU Century Simpsoum event which was held at the Sheraton Hotel, Surabaya, East Java, Saturday.

"This is a PAN event, a party born from the womb of Muhammadiyah, maybe many are asking why it held a 1st Century NU gathering? We want to broadcast that NU and Muhammadiyah are the two Garuda wings that guard the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," Zulkifli said as quoted by Antara, Sunday.

He emphasized that PAN was not a party that carried identity politics, but his party consistently fought for the idea of "central Islam" which became the spirit of the struggle of NU and Muhammadiyah.

In the event, PBNU General Chair Yahya Cholil Staquf assessed that PAN had succeeded in transforming into a rational political party. He said he was proud that PAN did not prioritize identity politics.

The man who is familiarly called Gus Yahya also expressed his appreciation to PAN for holding the "NU Century 1 Symposium" event, in order to enliven 1 NU Century and welcome the 2nd NU century.

"But this is a bit paradoxical, I saw Mr. Zul and PAN leaders wearing sarongs, while I came with the Secretary General, Bendum and the Chairman of the NU Lakpesdam wearing pants. Hopefully those who wear gloves will also wear pants," said Gus Yahya..

The event was attended by PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf, PBNU Secretary General Saifullah Yusuf or Gus Ipul. In addition, figures and celebrities, namely Hilman Latief, Ahmad Najib Burhani, Euis Amalia, Ulil Abshar Abdalla, and Adi Hidayat, also gave key speeches.