Amien in between being a statesman and politician

---------------- Soeryo Winoto The Jakarta Post Jakarta ----------------

Long before being elected People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker, Amien Rais said in a television interview that his mother wanted him to become a statesman rather than a politician.

He added that it was not an easy task to become a statesman.

He proved his own statement. As Assembly speaker, Amien has shocked many, including government officials and his political enemies, with his controversial statements.

Many have berated him for being "too talkative".

"Yes, once when I saw irregularities that could potentially harm the public, the words just poured out automatically. This just reflects my deep concern for the public," Amien said, citing the government's plan to sell state-owned companies (BUMN).

"I was also furious over the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency's request (to the government) for another 10-year grace period for ill-behaved bank owners who had failed to return their debts amounting to at least Rp 140 trillion. And this was after the government had already given them a five-year period (to return the debts). That (the request) was against any sense of justice."

Some may also remember his stinging remarks against Yusril Ihza Mahendra (now Minister of Justice and Human Rights) when they both appeared on a public debate (as presidential candidates) sponsored by the University of Indonesia at the Salemba campus complex in 1999.

"I know my brother Yusril very well. And I know that he has poor English," Amien said calmly, responding to Yusril's criticism against him in the debate.

His startling statements and the controversy he has stirred, have provoked strong likes and dislikes among the people.

One of Amien's former admirers said her admiration of Amien had faded following his subsequent political statements and moves.

"When he first made public appearances and strongly criticized (then president) Soeharto (before Soeharto was toppled) I thought he was a good man. But recently, he has been deviating from his original direction. So, I now regret having voted for his National Mandate Party (PAN) in the previous general election," said a woman from Ciamis, West Java, soon after Amien was elected MPR speaker in 1999.

Observers have said it was a bonus for the recent Assembly's Annual Session that Amien managed to restrain himself from making controversial statements. And the session was considered successful thanks to Amien's leadership.

The 58-year-old Amien is seemingly aware of being controversial or "notorious". "I don't know if that is a weakness or strength," he said.

Apart from his gratitude (to God) for being a politician, the father of five children is also grateful that he is a husband and father.

"I am just trying to create and maintain happiness in my family. Alhamdulillah (thank God) I have a mandate to raise five children. They all make me happy. I want to see them grow independent. I, and my wife, do not want to pass onto them plots of land or huge amounts of money. We just want to bequeath knowledge (through education) and moral values."

Born in Surakarta, Central Java, on April 26, 1944, Mohammad Amien Rais completed his first degree at Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta in 1968. He married to Kusnasriyati Sri Rahayu in 1969.

He finished his postgraduate degree at the University of Notre Dame, USA, in 1973 before completing political science studies at the University of Chicago in 1981. He took his post-doctoral degree at George Washington University and the University of California (UCLA) in the U.S. from 1988 to 1999.

He started teaching at Gadjah Mada University in 1969.

His political career began when he joined the Islamic Students Association (HMI) and later led Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim organization, in 1995.

Five years later he quit the Muhammadiyah post and concentrated on his National Mandate Party (PAN), which brought him to the Assembly's top post.

His move to establish the central axis, which brought Abdurrahman Wahid, instead of Megawati Soekarnoputri, to the presidency, also reflected his swiftness and experience in politics.

Veteran politician Amien has also said he just wants to do his best for the country: "That's my motto as a politician".

Asked about his chances of becoming the next president of Indonesia, Amien said: "My party PAN officially nominated me as a presidential candidate during its national congress in Batam last May. I was honored by the nomination".

"But I am also fully aware of the financial constraints and the huge costs involved in launching a presidential campaign. Therefore, I will launch what I call 'politics of conscience'. I will by all means avoid money politics. That's not my style and I want to tell the public that money doesn't mean everything. I will address the whole nation that we have a platform to rebuild the country."

Asked if he has any clear programs to lead the nation, he just says that the state ideology of Pancasila means everything in a more democratic Indonesia.

"Just look at the first tenet Ketuhanan Yang Maha Esa (Belief in one God). This reflects democracy in religion. If the second tenet Kemanusiaan yang Adil dan Beradab (Humanity) had been respected and implemented there would not have been any interreligious conflict."

Everybody may hate loss or failure. For Amien Rais, as a political player, failure means introspection and self contemplation.

"When PAN was ranked fifth and was trailing other parties in the previous election, I spent a lot of time in contemplation. I wondered what was wrong with my party, and I got the answer later."

"Never blame others for your failures. Reflect and look at yourself to see why you have failed."