Gus Dur's inconsistency draws harsh criticism<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The standoff between Gen. Wiranto and President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid ended with the suspension of Wiranto and the
\ndisappointment of experts and observers over the way Abdurrahman
\nhandled the situation.<\/p>\n
Senior mass communications expert Astrid Susanto expressed her
\ndiscontent with the President's actions, saying it could worsen
\nthe political situation by creating confusion and speculation.<\/p>\n
\"At a certain stage, speculation will lead to public distrust
\nof the government,\" Astrid, who is also a House of
\nRepresentatives legislator, said.<\/p>\n
\"The President should not make sensitive statements during his
\noverseas trips. It could damage him.\"<\/p>\n
As the head of state, Abdurrahman should not be overly hasty
\nin responding to questions from the media, particularly if they
\ndeal with controversial issues, Astrid said.<\/p>\n
The standoff between Wiranto and Abdurrahman began when the
\nPresident, in response to questions from the media, revealed in
\nSwitzerland his plan to ask Wiranto to resign over his alleged
\nrole in last year's violence in East Timor. The issue then became
\nthe focus of his whirlwind tour, obscuring the original mission
\nof his trip.<\/p>\n
Wiranto refused to bow to Abdurrahman's call for his
\nresignation, saying he would wait until the President returned
\nhome.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman raised more eyebrows on Sunday by changing his
\nmind on Wiranto in the span of 12 hours.<\/p>\n
The President announced at noon on Sunday that he would retain
\nthe defiant Wiranto in the Cabinet, but just before midnight he
\ntold several dailies he had reversed his decision.<\/p>\n
A communications expert from the University of Indonesia,
\nMuhammad Budyatna, said Abdurrahman was demonstrating his mastery
\nof the psychological warfare of politics.<\/p>\n
\"Wiranto must have thought that Gus Dur would forgive him and
\nkeep him in the Cabinet, but I believe that the President had
\nalready taken the decision to sideline Wiranto long before he
\nreturned home,\" Budyatna said, referring to the President by his
\nnickname.<\/p>\n
He said Abdurrahman's reversal on Sunday was part of the
\nPresident's particular style. He added that while many people may
\nfind this style inconsistent, he would rather judge the final
\nresult of the inconsistent statements.<\/p>\n
\"It's his style. People will be confused, but they should be
\ncareful to read beyond his statements. Those who know Gus Dur
\nwell can easily predict his impending decisions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Despite his praise, Budyatna suggested Abdurrahman recruit a
\nteam of advisers or consultants to help him tailor his statements
\nto allow people to understand his style.<\/p>\n
\"What he has done is not that convincing. Gus Dur still talks
\non his own initiative and sometimes is even too reactive,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, noted mass communications expert
\nAshadi Siregar said he believed there was good will behind the
\nPresident's decision.<\/p>\n
\"Now our assumption is that all political decisions are based
\non interaction. We don't know with whom Gus Dur communicated
\nafter he made the first statement. So, I think it depends on who
\nmet him and spoke with him, then we can comment on why this and
\nwhy that,\" Ashadi said.<\/p>\n
A legislator from the Crescent Star Party (PBB), Ahmad
\nSumargono, accused Abdurrahman of being inconsistent.<\/p>\n
\"Wiranto has not been convicted. How come he is now being
\npunished? There is a grave moral problem here, while we claim to
\ndefend the supremacy of the law,\" Sumargono said.<\/p>\n
An Attorney General's Office team will be tasked with the
\nformal investigation into Wiranto and four other military top
\nbrass implicated in the government-sanctioned inquiry into East
\nTimor mayhem. (jun\/emf)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-durs-inconsistency-draws-harsh-criticism-1447893297",
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