A strong statement<\/p>\n
On Sept. 30, 1999, all newspapers reported the visit of
\nseveral leaders of Muslim-based political parties to the private
\nresidence of President Habibie. These leaders, among others, were
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur, Amien Rais, Yusril Ihza
\nMahendra and Hamzah Has, and they were present to convey three
\nmessages.<\/p>\n
The first message conveyed was to persuade President Habibie
\nto reconsider his candidacy in the next presidential election for
\nthe good of the nation. The second message was that they will
\ntake all necessary precautions so that the General Session of the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will be safe and peaceful.
\nAnd the third message was a promise from all leaders present not
\nto mobilize their masses to achieve their short-term political
\ngoal.<\/p>\n
These are the facts as reported in most of the papers and
\nthere are no differences. But when it comes to interpretation,
\nthen differences occur, which makes it very interesting and also
\na little bit confusing.<\/p>\n
Media Indonesia used the caption Seven big parties urge
\nHabibie to step down, which is not the same with what the parties
\nhad in mind. When a reporter asked Amien Rais whether he would
\nreconsider means that Habibie should not take part in the
\npresidential election. Amien Rais answered that it was not
\nethical to ask Habibie to withdraw from the presidential
\nelection, and what right do we have to ask someone to withdraw.<\/p>\n
What we have in mind is to give a signal to Habibie to
\nreconsider and reevaluate his bid for the presidency. So on what
\ndo the editors of Media Indonesia base their eye-catching
\ncaption.<\/p>\n
I read most of the papers appearing on Sept. 30 and only The
\nJakarta Post gave a different comment and a very strong one at
\nthat. The Post wrote: \"Embattled President B.J. Habibie flatly
\nrejected this call and reaffirmed his determination to press
\nahead with his bid for the presidency in November\".<\/p>\n
All the other papers reported a different answer from
\nPresident Habibie, which was more mature and democratic. The
\nPresident said: \"I, as a democrat, accept your input (please
\ncompare with the Post writing 'flatly rejected this call'), but
\nlet us follow and obey the transparency and without any extra
\nefforts of the democratic mechanism. I will fight as a President
\nuntil the MPR General Session, and whatever decision the MPR will
\ntake, I will accept it as a true democrat.\"<\/p>\n
The Post and Media Indonesia have the right to express their
\nown opinion, but what was the source of the presidential
\nstatement of flatly rejecting this call and urging Habibie to
\nresign.<\/p>\n
SOEGIH ARTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-strong-statement-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }