Dangerous Identity Politics, Head Of BPBNU Forbids Anyone From Politics In The Name Of NU

Chairman of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board Yahya Cholil Staquf (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - General Chairperson of the Nahdlatul Ulama (PBNU) Executive Board Yahya Cholil Staquf emphasized that anyone who participates in politics should not use NU's name while in politics. This is to anticipate identity politics practices. "Whoever it is, even though NU people are not allowed to use NU identities as political capital," said Gus Yahya, Yahya Cholil Staquf's nickname, when met as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, May 25. Gus Yahya emphasized that whoever competes in the electoral arena must have their own credibility, achievements, and bargaining power, and not just rely on the name of NU alone. Gus Yahya said his party would always seek moral politics and would not rely on identity politics that only rely on raising support based on certain identities.

"This identity politics is politics that prioritizes the identity of primary groups, this can be dangerous for the integrity of society," he said. He said identity politics could be dangerous for the community because it would encourage divisions in society. Gus Yahya said he did not want what was called Islamic politics or even politics that used NU identities.

"So we don't want it if later there are campaign competitors who say 'choose NU people,' for example, we don't want that," he said. He hopes that if there are indeed a handful of parties who want to cooperate with NU in the political arena, they must prioritize attractive vision and offers.