Political lies lead to disaster<\/p>\n
Political structures built on lies, seen solid from the
\noutside, will not last and will succumb to the forces of truth in
\nthe end.<\/p>\n
A book to that effect, mostly referring to the New Order, was
\nlaunched on Sunday (August 6) by the Sinar Harapan publishing
\ncompany. It contains views and statements by a leading member of
\nthe Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and
\nformer banker before he became a minister in the reform cabinet.
\nThe statements and views are compiled and edited by well-known
\nbiographer Ramadhan KH who also provides an introduction to the
\nbook.<\/p>\n
It is not my purpose to discuss the contents of the book as I
\nam afraid I shall not be objective in my judgment since the
\nsubject is Laksamana Sukardi, the name I gave him when he was
\nborn and for which I still feel morally responsible until today.
\nYou see, Laksamana means admiral, and I had no permit from the
\nnavy to give him that rank.<\/p>\n
I just want to reveal here that Laksamana resisted publication
\nuntil the last minute because he feared the book would be seen as
\nan attempt to write his biography. The proper time for that has
\nnot come since he needs to accomplish more for his country and
\npeople, he argued.<\/p>\n
But Ramadhan insisted that views and ideas expressed by the
\n\"Admiral\" should be widely known, especially to the younger
\ngeneration who may see in him an example of honesty and
\nperseverance and willingness to sacrifice. He gave up a well-
\npaying job at Lippo Bank to join a small political party, the PDI
\nPerjuangan.<\/p>\n
For months there was no decision and Ramadhan and the Sinar
\nHarapan publisher could not start publishing without the approval
\nof Laksamana. My personal interference as a parent had been to no
\navail.<\/p>\n
Finally, when he was no longer minister, he gave the go-ahead.
\nHe even was willing to contribute two flashbacks to make the book
\nmore suitable to the present era of reform. The Indonesian title
\nwas then changed to Kita Banyak Dusta (We are lying too much).<\/p>\n
On this occasion I would like to mention that I saw American
\nAmbassador to Indonesia Robert Gelbard, legislator Arifin
\nPanigoro, senior journalists Rosihan Anwar, Jeffry Winters, Jusuf
\nRonodipuro, former press official Subrata and others who came to
\nwitness the launching of the book.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/political-lies-lead-to-disaster-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }