Honesty cynically responded to<\/p>\n
From Rakyat Merdeka<\/p>\n
I am keeping abreast of the news in Rakyat Merdeka because
\nthe language they use is simple but to the point, and is easily
\ndigested. However, after reading a brief explanation under my
\npicture titled Kiai Tiga Miliar (Three Billion Clerics), I was
\nbewildered and unable to understand what was meant by the paper.
\nAnd therefore I will use this opportunity to straighten out some
\npoints:
\n * It is not true that I am one of the top officials of the
\ncentral executive board of the National Awakening Party. For
\nconfirmation, please check with the board's secretariat. Thank
\nGod, up to now I have had no interest in joining any political
\nparty. I still have the mandate and trust to serve as an adviser
\nto the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) for 1999-2004 period and as a member
\nof the People's Consultative Assembly for the same period.
\n * In principle, I have no objection at all with regard to my
\nwealth. I have reported to the State Officials' Wealth Audit
\nCommission and was quoted as saying so by Rakyat Merdeka under
\nthe title Kiai Tiga Miliar. But lamentably, despite the fact that
\nI reported my wealth prior to the time limit set by the
\ncommission, my effort to honestly report my wealth was unfairly
\nrendered by the paper and treated with scorn. The word
\n\"suspicious\" in the paper showed obvious prejudice against me.
\n * It is again not true that I obtained my wealth -- as implied in
\nthe report -- from my close proximity to the President.
\n * Rakyat Merdeka should have ensured its reporter was more
\nsensitive to the facts so that other public officials would
\nfollow in my footsteps in upholding the principle of honesty and
\ntransparency. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of officials
\nwho have filed false reports on their wealth and there are still
\nothers who haven't reported their wealth.<\/p>\n
I hope my clarification will serve as a lesson for the press
\nin general, and Rakyat Merdeka in particular, so that in
\npresenting their reports they will prioritize ethics and morality
\nrather than commercial gains.<\/p>\n
SAID AGIL SIRADJ<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/honesty-cynically-responded-to-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }