A quiz for Habibie<\/p>\n
Before he was appointed State Minister of Food and
\nHorticulture five months ago, A.M. Saefuddin was known as a
\nhumorous professor of agriculture who laid claim to proficiency
\nin a number of languages.<\/p>\n
However finding anything to laugh about amidst the national
\noutcry caused by insulting remarks which he directed toward the
\nnation's Hindu community may be difficult for the jovial
\nprofessor.<\/p>\n
Although Saefuddin's boast to multilingualism may be true, it
\nappears that he has yet to master polite speech in his own
\ntongue. It is not for the first time that the minister has
\nprovoked public anger with his inconsiderate statements.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin, who represents the minority United Development
\nParty (PPP) in the Cabinet, caused outrage by stating that he
\nwould make a better presidential candidate than Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, the leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\n(PDI) Perjuangan. Contending that Megawati was a Hindu, he
\nquestioned whether predominantly Moslem Indonesia would accept a
\nnon-Moslem president. It is common knowledge that Megawati is a
\nMoslem.<\/p>\n
The minister has not only incurred the wrath of the nation's
\nHindus, most of whom live in Bali, numerous political leaders and
\nMoslem scholars in other parts of the country have also lashed
\nout at the minister for his wayward tongue.<\/p>\n
Many have reminded him of the words of Prophet Muhammad, who
\nsaid that those who brand their fellow Moslems infidels are
\nthemselves what they decry their fellow believers to be.<\/p>\n
Aware of the danger inherent in the situation, the level-
\nheaded have called for the incident to be forgotten, pointing out
\nthat the minister has publicly apologized for his remarks, and
\nfrom Bali the news has been good. The people there seem to have
\ndrawn upon the wise old Hindu saying Tan hana wong swarta nulus,
\nmeaning nobody is perfect. Balinese religious and community
\nleaders have called for peace following suggestions that certain
\nparties might exploit the outcry to raise the issue of
\nseparatism.<\/p>\n
So calm reigns once again. But is it logical for us to treat
\nthe uproar as a storm in a tea cup? Judging by past disparaging
\nremarks made by the minister in question, the answer is a
\ndefinite no. In July he sparked anger after being quoted by a
\nnewspaper as saying that he could tolerate looters as long as
\nthey only plundered to satisfy their hunger.<\/p>\n
Although Saefuddin later said his remarks were taken out of
\ncontext, the barrage of criticism which subsequently rained down
\nupon his ears included sharp words from Ismail Hasan Metareum,
\nhis own party boss.<\/p>\n
The minister is said to have ambitions to hold the PPP chair
\nand eventually replace President Habibie, but that is his own
\nproblem. Of greater concern is the fact that he has shown himself
\nto be completely and utterly unaware of the sensitivity and
\nexplosive potential of religion in this country of many faiths.
\nSo, his recent apology was insufficient.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, his remarks have posed an important question for
\nPresident B.J. Habibie, who must now ask himself if he can afford
\nto continue with a loose cannon such as Saefuddin in his Cabinet
\nline up, given the minister's ability to blunder.<\/p>\n
We have heard reports that the President will soon reshuffle
\nhis Cabinet. So why not give Saefuddin the honor of being the
\nfirst one shown the door?<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-quiz-for-habibie-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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