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