Baffled, Gus Dur complains to God

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)