Akbar Tanjung a pathetic comparison

From Rakyat Merdeka

Concerning the report, believed to be leaked from a meeting, in the Sept. 20 Rakyat Merdeka, I have greater trust in the explanations of Arifin Panigoro than the response given by Akbar Tanjung.

1. If Golkar and Akbar Tanjung persist in proposing B.J. Habibie as their presidential candidate, demonstrations by students and the people will be more violent, the economic condition will worsen and the situation will become chaotic. There is the possibility of more horrifying bloodshed. Many of our children will be victims of the authorities' greed.

2. Golkar and Akbar Tanjung must reject the will of whoever, including Habibie, to dissolve the special committee of the House of Representatives (DPR) for the Bank Bali scandal, and replace the 40 Golkar cadres who dared to correct Habibie. If Golkar and Akbar are willing to carry out the above, it means it is taking arbitrary steps, it is undemocratic and it violates human rights. Directly or indirectly, A. A. Baramuli is involved in the Bank Bali scandal and has misused his power.

3. There has been the threat the "If he (Habibie) is not elected president, the eastern part of Indonesia may secede". If it is true (whoever has said it), it is blackmail of Golkar in particular and the Indonesian people in general.

Whoever said it showed narrow-mindedness. During Habibie's mandated rule from Soeharto, killings and bloodshed have taken place in Aceh, Jakarta, Banyuwangi, Ambon, East Timor and Kalimantan. The existence of money politics can be interpreted as an indication that the threat will be carried out. To impose oneself to lead Indonesia with such a character will destroy the nation and the unitary state of Indonesia. A great leader would say, "Indonesia will remain unified and will make greater progress although I am not the president".

4. Habibie stressed to Akbar that Golkar is nothing without the support of the president and the government, stating, "If the government falls, Golkar will also fall into pieces and Akbar Tanjung as the party chairman will also crash into particles like a brick." I can only say that it is indeed pathetic when Akbar's fate is compared to a brick.

MBONG SOEDIJATMO

Jakarta