Go fly a kite<\/p>\n
From Ummat magazine<\/p>\n
Why does Abdurrahman Wahid (popularly known as Gus Dur) give
\nthe impression of wanting to be contrary? When the majority of
\nthe Muslim community cast aspersions on Theo Syafei, Gus Dur came
\nto his defense, saying that Theo Syafei had his merits. When the
\nTanjung Priok incident erupted in 1984 and the Muslim community
\ndemanded the accountability of Benny Moerdani (also of Try
\nSutrisno and Soeharto), Gus Dur invited Moerdani to go to
\npesantren (Islamic boarding schools) to convince the Muslim
\ncommunity that the case was \"purely criminal\".<\/p>\n
When the people wanted to sue Soeharto, Gus Dur discouraged
\nthem. He said it was dangerous because Soeharto had many
\nfollowers who loved the former president so much they would
\ncreate many riots if Soeharto was sued. When the people demanded
\nthe abolishment of the Armed Forces' dual function, Gus Dur said
\nthat if the dual function ceased to exist there would be
\nstagnation in our national life.<\/p>\n
Likewise in the case of East Timor. When the majority
\npreferred East Timor to be separated from the Republic of
\nIndonesia, Gus Dur took the opposite stance.<\/p>\n
Apparently by acting this way, Gus Dur can soar into the air
\nlike a kite. And like a kite he has to go against the wind. Gus
\nDur is a big kite sailing at the end of its string, which is the
\nNU community. Who then is the \"intellectual actor\" who handles
\nthe string?<\/p>\n
If the string breaks, the kite will float in the air, but only
\nfor a while. Groups of people will fight to seize the kite. With
\nluck the kite will remain whole and can be used again by other
\n\"intellectual actors\". Otherwise, it will be in tatters and will
\njust be discarded.<\/p>\n
SUDADI SOEROPRANOTO<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/go-fly-a-kite-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }