Understanding Gus Dur?<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
The people must understand Gus Dur. Is it not the other way
\naround? That is my question arising from the title of the recent
\nseminar organized by The Jakarta Post. Arief Budiman and Mochtar
\nPabottingi were among the speakers on the occasion.<\/p>\n
Do we, the public, always have to understand Abdurrahman
\nWahid's actions (Gus Dur) as President? Is it correct for him to
\nact capriciously, saying "why make a fuss of minor matters"
\nwithout understanding the market? According to fund manager and
\nlegislator Theo F. Toemion, the market has now punished Gus Dur
\n(Suara Pembaruan, April 26).<\/p>\n
How is it? Is the market willing to follow Gus Dur? Certainly
\nthe market and the people do not follow the actions of Gus Dur as
\nthe top executive of this country. They only react to his
\nactions. And their reactions are a reflection of the government's
\nperformance.<\/p>\n
Now the value of the rupiah has declined, breaking the
\npsychological barrier of Rp 8,000 against the U.S. dollar. The
\ncountry's foreign exchange reserves have also diminished compared
\nto last month. Observers say it was all due to Gus Dur's sacking
\nof two Cabinet ministers.<\/p>\n
Is it true? Everything remains vague. Perhaps there is a
\npolitical reason behind it or an economic and political reason
\nregarding the distribution of state-owned resources.<\/p>\n
Soon, the coordinating minister for politics and security and
\nthe minister of home affairs will be replaced. Then the
\nimplementation of regional autonomy will be launched (Media
\nIndonesia, April 26). Thus, possibly the changes in the Cabinet
\nhave a far-sighted objective. But for whom? Let's hope it is for
\nthe nation and the state, not for certain political parties and
\nmass organizations, so-called "Gus Dur and friends".<\/p>\n
Some people say Gus Dur's leadership is in the pesantren
\n(Islamic boarding school) style. In my opinion whatever style Gus
\nDur uses is his right. Only, whatever style he uses, it is
\nessential for Gus Dur as President to understand the will of the
\npeople and the market. Gus Dur's drastic actions are now
\nsufficient to change the pattern of thinking in the style of the
\nNew Order regime.<\/p>\n
Especially since Gus Dur's grand strategy in the political and
\nlegal field are now palpable. However, we remain in the dark in
\nthe economic field. We are continuously affected by the IMF's
\nLetter of Intent.<\/p>\n
ABDILLAH KAMIL<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/understanding-gus-dur-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }