Akbar Tanjung a pathetic comparison
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