Baffled, Gus Dur complains to God

JAKARTA (JP): Frustrated by the mounting political pressure facing him, President Abdurrahman Wahid slammed his critics on Monday saying he had nowhere else to turn to except the heavens to seek some respite.

In what would normally have been an uncontroversial, ceremonial address to participants in a National Resilience Institute (Lemhannas) short course, Abdurrahman launched into a tirade against his political foes who, according to him, refused to recognize the dire consequences of unseating him.

"Frankly speaking, I am now lodging a protest with God. I am protesting because everyone says there should be no state of emergency, but these same people are also closing their doors to compromise," he said.

"They are all lousy!"

Abdurrahman warned of outrage on the part of his supporters should the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly in August impeach him.

He pointed to events in Sampang, Madura, where locals torched the local council building after news spread that the House of Representatives in May had decided to proceed with their censure of the President.

"Do you want people to come here and burn down the House building?" Abdurrahman charged.

Such tirades have become frequent from Abdurrahman, who's sharp comments have won him little praise.

Known for his spirited and no-holds-bar attitude, legislators and political observers alike have repeatedly urged the President to tone down his controversial remarks.

His comments came as legislators were again stepping up efforts to bring forward the special session following news of the controversial dismissal of National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro.

A clearly miffed-looking Abdurrahman on Monday also chided House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, whom he claims has brushed off the President's claims of a threat of national disintegration should he be removed from office before the end of his term in 2004.

"The House Speaker sneers too easily saying that it's all nonsense. My God, this man does not know his people," Abdurrahman remarked.

The President, who in the past has rebuked House legislators as being akin to a bunch of kindergarten kids, did not let up and branded his political opponents as behaving like hagglers in a crowded market.

He then repeated his threats, this time warning of calling a snap election if attempts continued to remove him from office, while boasting that provinces like Aceh, Riau and Irian Jaya would break away if he was removed from office.

Monday clearly seemed to find the President in a foul mood, as he then proceeded to scold Lemhannas lecturers for what he termed as "meddling in politics".

From the lectern he barked at Lemhannas Governor Ermaya Suradinata to cleanse the institution of political activities.

"You can speak about politics, but you may not have a political orientation. Ninty-five percent of your lecturers are against me. This is politicking. Please take this into account Mr. Governor," the President told Ermaya.

"Yes sir!" Ermaya, who sat near the lectern, quickly responded.

When asked later by reporters about a snap poll, the President merely replied: "Why are you asking me ... It is the people who wish it, not me".

Speaking to reporters after accompanying the President during the ceremony, Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. voiced his support for an accelerated general election.

Emphasizing that it was merely an idea, the minister however suggested that it might be the best solution in resolving the political deadlock.

"The election issue is becoming important because everyone feels that what they are doing is constitutional," Mahfud remarked.

Separately, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi also warned of the dangers of ousting the President.

"Should the President be replaced, I am worried that the NU's kyais will not be able to prevent physical conflict from arising at the grassroots level," Hasyim said during a meeting with the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA).

During the meeting, Hasyim was accompanied by Abdurrahman's uncle, senior ulema Yusuf Hasyim and sociologist Imam B. Prasodjo from the Indonesian University.

According to Hasyim, possible conflicts between NU members and Muhammadiyah or Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle supporters was a real threat.

"I ask politicians not to simplify the matter," Hasyim warned.

But Imam Prasodjo criticized Hasyim for his "political blackmail" tactics in defending the President.

"Rather than giving this warning, why does Pak Hasyim not ask people to work hand-in-hand to avoid this emotional reaction," Imam told reporters. (tso/prb)