Fulfilling a promise<\/p>\n
The main story in Republika (July 27, 1999), mentions a
\nstatement made by the general chairman of the Central Executive
\nBoard of the United Development Party (PPP), Hamzah Haz. He is
\nquoted as saying that if supporters of one particular party
\nslightly prick their thumbs so that blood flows and then make
\nfinger prints, PPP supporters are likewise willing to sacrifice
\ntheir lives to uphold the truth.<\/p>\n
In connection with the key word truth, allow me to ask Mr.
\nHamzah Haz the following questions:<\/p>\n
1. Is it true that during the election campaign you promised
\nto give up your position as general chairman of the PPP if the
\nparty failed to obtain 20 percent of the total votes?<\/p>\n
2. If the answer to the question in point one is yes, then,
\nfor whatever reason, is it the right attitude on your part to
\nstick to the position of PPP general chairman, when PPP obtained
\nless than 20 percent of the total votes? Doesn't it mean that you
\nhave broken your own promise?<\/p>\n
3. If you, as the highest leader in your party, are not
\nwilling to give up your position as PPP general chairman to
\nfulfill your own promise, which may be taken as upholding the
\ntruth, is it right for you to demand that your supporters
\nsacrifice their lives?<\/p>\n
4. In 1997, members and supporters of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) extended
\nconsiderable support to PPP in what was known as the Mega-Bintang
\nphenomenon. As a result, PPP's vote in the 1997 polls was
\nconsiderably higher than that of the 1992 elections. Now, is it
\ntrue that in exchange for this significant support you have now
\nrejected Megawati as a presidential candidate simply because she
\nis a woman?<\/p>\n
5. Is it true that in its campaign PPP promised to nominate
\n"one of its own personnel\/PPP cadre" as its presidential
\ncandidate? If this is true, why is PPP nominating Gus Dur as a
\npresidential candidate from the central axis, a faction
\nspearheaded by the PPP? Isn't it another example of PPP breaking
\nits own promise?<\/p>\n
Wouldn't it be more ethical and supportive of you to support
\nMegawati as a presidential candidate? This action would show not
\nonly that you would repay your indebtedness to PDI Perjuangan,
\nbut also that you really understand the essence of democracy,
\nconsidering that PDI Perjuangan is the winner in the June 7
\npolls.<\/p>\n
As a fellow Muslim, allow me to remind you to keep your
\npromise to give up your present position as PPP general chairman
\nin order that your self-respect may be maintained. Leave it to
\nthe party to elect its new general chairman. PPP has an adequate
\nsupply of prospective and able leaders, such as Mr. Zarkasih
\nNoor, Mr. Faisal Baasir and Mr. Tosari Wijaya.<\/p>\n
I hope Mr. Hamzah Haz may find time to reflect upon the
\nquestions above, and that this reflection may remind him in
\nfuture that a leader must not make promises too easily or return
\na kindness with spite.<\/p>\n
H. WISDARMANTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/fulfilling-a-promise-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }