Teach the press a lesson, Gus Dur<\/p>\n
I am not from East Java, nor a member of Nahdlatul Ulama, but
\nno less than anyone else, including the kyai and santri, I uphold
\nthe legitimacy of Abdurrahman Wahid as president of this
\nrepublic. No less than any other citizen in any other part of
\nIndonesia, I hope that the President remains healthy, physically
\nand mentally, actively providing leadership in guiding this
\nnation to overcome the prevailing megacrisis. I am not a lawyer,
\nbut I am a firm believer in the dignity and integrity of the
\npresidency as an institution.<\/p>\n
That is why I am addressing this letter to President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid (I prefer to address him as Gus Dur as many
\nmillions do so affectionately).<\/p>\n
Personally, I was deeply moved reading a column in one of
\nJakarta's weeklies where a reporter asked the President why he
\nhad not taken legal action against the magazines and newspapers
\naccusing him of alleged involvement in several serious scandals.
\nYou were reported to have replied: \"No need! I am offering myself
\nas the sacrificial lamb to the cause of democracy!\"<\/p>\n
Reading it, I exclaimed: \"What a great man!\" A truly great
\nulema with mega-magnanimity. You must have forgiven many known
\nand unknown men and women who have disagreed or disobeyed you! As
\na man full of forgiveness, you bear it all with complete
\ncalmness, sharing the burden with that angel in your heart.<\/p>\n
But remember, Mr. President, these allegations and criticisms
\nwere addressed to you as occupant of the presidency and cannot
\njust be dismissed as if they were a personal matter by saying:
\n\"You think I care?\"<\/p>\n
Mr. President, I have been moved to write this letter after
\nreading yet another column with another serious accusation. A
\nJakarta weekly, in its late February edition, published that in a
\nmeeting with Tommy and Tutut, you demanded that they surrender PT
\nTimor to you, (part of the) toll road plus US$43 million as a fee
\nfor a presidential amnesty.<\/p>\n
I think this is the last straw! You must act, Mr. President,
\nby teaching those publications the limits of press freedom in a
\ndemocracy, which you yourself so strongly uphold. You should not
\nsuffer as a sacrificial lamb.<\/p>\n
After all, it relates to the presidency Gus Dur!<\/p>\n
H. ARIFIN BEY<\/p>\n
Tangerang, West Java<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/teach-the-press-a-lesson-gus-dur-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }