Gus Dur's bombshell<\/p>\n
For common people, to plant land mines is considered a serious
\nviolation of the law. For a religious leader to do so is more
\nthan a sin. For religious leader Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) to
\nexplode a bomb as the nation approaches its year end was
\nconsidered by some, and the perpetrator himself, just \"a service
\nto the nation\".<\/p>\n
At the height of the country's political turmoil, economic
\nuncertainty, internal insecurity and mutual distrust, with
\nhundred of thousands of students still restlessly and listlessly
\nroaming around, he made calls to President Habibie, Armed Forces
\nCommander Wiranto and also to ousted former president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
He suggested that the four, including himself, should meet in
\na national dialog to ease political and social tension, which Gus
\nDur said was on the verge of exploding.<\/p>\n
With whatever praise-worthy intention he had in mind when
\nproposing this \"illogical meeting\", history would judge him as
\ntoo naive to still rely on the cooperation of a fallen hero.<\/p>\n
The big question many have asked was why should this
\ninfluential man admit in public that the antireformist current
\nhas become too strong to be overcome? The critics asked why
\nshould he exclude other groups which had so heroically
\ncontributed to the downfall of the former regime.<\/p>\n
It would be more logical if he had pressed for the dissolution
\nof House of Representatives\/People's Consultative Assembly
\ninstead, and include leaders of the newly formed parties or
\norganizations. What did he think of the two bulls still roaming
\naround, if the power holders recognized only one with the general
\nelection approaching?<\/p>\n
If the voice of the students is not consulted, and suggestions
\nfrom reformist groupings ignored, the tide may be turning again,
\nand the whole nation will land, spiritually and mentality, on
\nsquare one once more. Power and wealth would reign again and
\ndemocracy be as illusive as ever. The rock may be hard to remove
\nbut to give up halfway is a senseless exercise. There is, in
\nfact, no time for political experiments involving undemocratic
\nforces from the past.<\/p>\n
Gus Dur's bombshell, however, was so well-controlled that it
\ndid not result in craters or cause material damage but it did
\nsucceed in adding to the already prevailing confusion. Many, I am
\nsure, would pay homage to Gus Dur, if the bombshell had caused
\nprices of basic commodities to tumble.<\/p>\n
If this influential religious leader is an ardent lover of
\nBeethoven's work, such as his Ninth Symphony, one may understand
\nhis reasoning. The Ninth Symphony calls on the people of the
\nworld to regard each other as brothers and sisters (Alle Menschen
\nwerden Bruder). That is also why the United Nations adopted it as
\nits official hymn.<\/p>\n
It would be useful for Gus Dur to know that Beethoven once
\ndedicated his fifth symphony Eroica to Napoleon, who first fought
\nfor the cause of the common people. But the great composer was
\nlater very much disappointed when Napoleon crowned himself to
\nEmperor and arrested the Pope for that purpose.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-durs-bombshell-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }