Behaving like country bumpkins

Behaving like country bumpkins

From Rakyat Merdeka

Amien Rais, speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, was once denied entry to Pasuruan, something which would not have happened, said Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman HM Muzadi, if Amien had lobbied him. Actually, Muzadi should have instructed NU members that they should have respect for other organizations.

The same kind of prohibition can also be slapped on Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri or Akbar Tanjung by other leaders' supporters, but they would not retaliate because they are sensible people.

It is evident that our national leaders in the past were of a different quality. Although most of them enjoyed only Dutch junior secondary education, they adhered to political ethics. On the other hand many members of the present People's Consultative Assembly are university graduates -- a few of them are holders of master's and doctorate degrees. Unfortunately, they behave like country bumpkins.

NASROEL ESKA

Jakarta