'It's late Mega, go to sleep': Gus Dur<\/p>\n
JAKARTA: Nobody would doubt that Megawati Soekarnoputri is an
\ninfluential politician. She has been found in many surveys to be
\namong the strongest contenders for the 1999-2004 presidency.<\/p>\n
And yet she heeds the words of Abdurrahman Wahid, who may be
\nher closest ally, to the point where she even acquiesced when he
\ntold her to go to bed rather than attend the signing of a joint
\ncommunique of opposition parties to beat Golkar which was held in
\nthe wee hours of Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, told a media briefing
\nwhich was also attended by Amien Rais, that: \"I forbade her (from
\ncoming to the signing) because it was too late.<\/p>\n
\"I told her not to come because she has to fly to Lampung
\nearly Tuesday... you know how women are... she (would need
\ntime) to put on her makeup,\" Abdurrahman said.<\/p>\n
In the same briefing, Amien and Abdurrahman openly haggled for
\nthe presidency. When journalists asked whether Amien or Megawati
\nwas the better presidential candidate, Abdurrahman was silent for
\na moment before replying: \"(the best candidate) is Abdurrahman
\nWahid.\"<\/p>\n
Journalists then asked Amien what he would do if his National
\nMandate Party (PAN) lost in the election and he could only become
\na vice president.<\/p>\n
Amien was quiet for a moment before saying: \"I have been
\nnominated by PAN to be number one. That's it. I'd rather become
\nan opposition than not be number one.<\/p>\n
\"I don't want to become the second banana. We can bargain
\nabout this later on,\" he said.<\/p>\n
\"Right on!\" Abdurrahman interjected. (edt\/swe)<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/its-late-mega-go-to-sleep-gus-dur-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }