Abdurrahman calls DPR a 'kindergarten'

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid, already criticized for shooting his mouth off too often, called the House of Representatives (DPR) a kindergarten on Thursday because its members used emotions rather than brains when criticizing his policies.

During a rare policy debate with the House, Gus Dur, as the President is popularly called, also quipped that Malaysian ministers did little more than play golf.

Gus Dur's kindergarten remarks came after he listened to DPR members taking turns to attack his controversial decision to close down the ministries of information and social services.

Rebuking them for missing out on the substance of his argument and for relying on emotions in theirs, he said "You're no different from a kindergarten."

"If you can say what you want to the president, then I can say what I want to you," he said.

His statement quickly drew sharp protests from many House members, but Speaker Akbar Tandjung calmed the floor and said that the President should be allowed to explain himself.

The strongest objection came from Priyo Budi Santoso of the Golkar faction, who insisted that the President clarify his remarks immediately. "We don't want to see a new form of authoritarian cloaked in democracy emerging," he said.

The President waived a dismissive hand when Akbar gave him a chance to respond to the criticisms at the end of the session.

No apology came forth from the President during the plenary session. However he did express remorse afterwards when taken to task by reporters over his statement.

"If my remarks were misunderstood by House members, then I apologize. What's the big deal? There's no need to be angry," he said as he entered his limousine on leaving the House compound.

Earlier, in opening remarks explaining about his new Cabinet, Abdurrahman joked that ministers in neighboring Malaysia did little more than play golf.

"Finding ministers in Malaysia is very difficult because they are playing golf," he said.

"That's the job of a minister. If you want to find them, find them on the golf course. Their business affairs are conducted on the golf course."

While explaining his decision to close down the two ministries, Abdurrahman said his Cabinet members' task was to do less, and to allow more public initiatives.

While there was no immediate response from Malaysia, the President was cautioned immediately by some House members, saying that his statement could undermine relations between Indonesia and Malaysia, a country he visited early this month.

"Although the President said this in a relaxed manner, or was joking, it can hurt another nation's feelings," said Benyamin Balu of the Indonesian Military faction.

"So we ask the President to withdraw his statement," he said. (02/emb)