The statesman<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post of April 16, 2001, published a news story in
\nwhich noted ulema KH Zaenuddin MZ said: "The only statesman
\nIndonesia has ever had was (former president) Soeharto".<\/p>\n
I firmly believe that Soeharto is not a statesman. Soeharto
\nhanded over the presidency to the vice president (B.J. Habibie)
\nbecause of the huge pressure from most of the people, led by the
\nstudents, as well as the international community. He didn't step
\ndown because he wanted to bow to the people's aspiration. He did
\nso to save himself, and his family and cronies.<\/p>\n
This is a very different situation from when the first
\npresident of the United States, George Washington, refused
\nanother presidential term although some prominent generals in
\nU.S. urged him to. Washington turned down another term as
\npresident without pressure or protest from the people. He did so
\nbecause of his sincerity to his people and country. Therefore
\nWashington is a statesman.<\/p>\n
A statesman is one who thinks, speaks and acts in the people's
\ninterest; he listens to the aspirations of the people without
\noppressing them for his or his cronies' gain. He is also a person
\nwho empowers the people and serves the country honestly. Based on
\nthis principals, we can clearly see that the late Mahatma Gandhi
\nis another good example of a stateman.<\/p>\n
It is not easy to categorize someone as a statesman. We must
\nuse evidence and arguments objectively and honestly when calling
\nhim a statesman. It is certainly not based on how close our
\nrelationship with the person concerned is.<\/p>\n
ALEXANDER B. KOROH<\/p>\n
Kupang, East Nusatenggara<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/the-statesman-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }