Support for Gus Dur as president<\/p>\n
From Sinar Pagi<\/p>\n
I fully agree the decision of the National Awakening Party
\n(PKB) to nominate Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) as candidate for
\nIndonesia's fourth president. In my opinion Gus Dur has certain
\nadvantages over other community figures. I believe there are at
\nleast nine such advantages.<\/p>\n
First, Gus Dur is on good terms with Armed Forces Commander
\nGen. Wiranto. This means he is the only civilian community figure
\nacceptable to the military to be the next president.<\/p>\n
Second, he is close to various quarters: the opposition camp
\n(Amien Rais, the National Front, Megawati, etc.), military
\nofficials\/the Armed Forces and present and former government
\nofficials.<\/p>\n
Third, he is not emotional. His response to the Banyuwangi
\ncase was unemotional. Although many religious leaders from
\nNahdlatul Ulama (NU) were massacred by so-called ninjas, he has
\nnever lashed out emotionally at security apparatuses for their
\nfailure in dealing with this case.<\/p>\n
Fourth, he always takes care not to offend other people. When
\nmentioning the alleged mastermind of the Banyuwangi case, for
\nexample, he simply gave the initial ES, not the full name.<\/p>\n
Fifth, he can read the signs of the time. Gus Dur is close to
\nWiranto, Megawati and Amien Rais, the three people that seemly
\nstand a good chance to be a president. So, whichever of them
\nbecomes the next president does not pose quite a problem to Gus
\nDur.<\/p>\n
Sixth, he easily forgives people and hates condemning others.
\nNever once has he made a statement to the effect that Soeharto
\nand his cronies should be brought to court for the sins they
\nallegedly committed during the New Order era.<\/p>\n
Seventh, he is a man with great patience so that he can allow
\nthe Armed Forces another six years to enjoy its dual-function
\nrole.<\/p>\n
Eighth, he is used to receiving domestic and foreign guests.<\/p>\n
Ninth, he has access abroad. Remember, a few years ago he
\nvisited Israel and suggested that Indonesia and Israel resume
\ndiplomatic relations.<\/p>\n
KURNIADI<\/p>\n
Bekasi, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/support-for-gus-dur-as-president-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }