A strong statement

A strong statement

On Sept. 30, 1999, all newspapers reported the visit of
several leaders of Muslim-based political parties to the private
residence of President Habibie. These leaders, among others, were
Abdurrahman Wahid, also known as Gus Dur, Amien Rais, Yusril Ihza
Mahendra and Hamzah Has, and they were present to convey three
messages.

The first message conveyed was to persuade President Habibie
to reconsider his candidacy in the next presidential election for
the good of the nation. The second message was that they will
take all necessary precautions so that the General Session of the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) will be safe and peaceful.
And the third message was a promise from all leaders present not
to mobilize their masses to achieve their short-term political
goal.

These are the facts as reported in most of the papers and
there are no differences. But when it comes to interpretation,
then differences occur, which makes it very interesting and also
a little bit confusing.

Media Indonesia used the caption Seven big parties urge
Habibie to step down, which is not the same with what the parties
had in mind. When a reporter asked Amien Rais whether he would
reconsider means that Habibie should not take part in the
presidential election. Amien Rais answered that it was not
ethical to ask Habibie to withdraw from the presidential
election, and what right do we have to ask someone to withdraw.

What we have in mind is to give a signal to Habibie to
reconsider and reevaluate his bid for the presidency. So on what
do the editors of Media Indonesia base their eye-catching
caption.

I read most of the papers appearing on Sept. 30 and only The
Jakarta Post gave a different comment and a very strong one at
that. The Post wrote: "Embattled President B.J. Habibie flatly
rejected this call and reaffirmed his determination to press
ahead with his bid for the presidency in November".

All the other papers reported a different answer from
President Habibie, which was more mature and democratic. The
President said: "I, as a democrat, accept your input (please
compare with the Post writing 'flatly rejected this call'), but
let us follow and obey the transparency and without any extra
efforts of the democratic mechanism. I will fight as a President
until the MPR General Session, and whatever decision the MPR will
take, I will accept it as a true democrat."

The Post and Media Indonesia have the right to express their
own opinion, but what was the source of the presidential
statement of flatly rejecting this call and urging Habibie to
resign.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta