Bridging gap between leaders
YOGYAKARTA (JP): The revered Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of Yogyakarta is scheduled to host a meeting with President Abdurrahman Wahid, Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung and People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais on Tuesday.
The Jakarta Post talked to the Yogyakarta ruler on Saturday about his initiative.
Question: What is the background behind the planned meeting between you and the other figures on Aug. 1?
Answer: I am only acting as an intermediary. There is no special agenda. Everything is up to the four leaders on how they would like to use the occasion. I did not draw up any agenda because that would mean intervention on my part in the affairs of the decisionmakers. I am not a decisionmaker.
Is the meeting aimed to help smooth the way to the annual MPR session?
No, there's no connection. I repeat, I'm only an intermediary for the meeting of the four leaders after their earlier plan (of July 20) failed to materialize, that's all.
People worry about conflicts among supporters of different political factions during the annual session. Do you hope the leaders can reduce such fears?
Yes, who knows, maybe the four of them can talk with sincerity and with an open mind so eventually such a possibility could be avoided. It would be very good if that could happen. I can only try.
Is the current social political atmosphere among the reasons you initiated the talks?
We know that many people are hungry. Violence continues in various areas across the country and the four leaders are those who make the decisions. So how are they facing the problems of the people? Let them meet and exchange ideas.
Who took the initiative of this meeting?
It's going to be my (56th) birthday and I've invited them to my house for lunch.
Are you going to invite such figures every birthday?
Well, no. But it so happens that this year's birthday also marks my seventh windu (eight-year cycle) according to the Javanese calendar. There is a Javanese belief that the birthday of the seventh eight-year cycle has a special meaning.
Amien Rais has proposed to add other dignitaries to come to the meeting. Your comment?
I don't think there's any need for more (people). I only know those four leaders. And I only have five chairs at the dinner table. If I invited somebody else it would be a tight squeeze.
You said you would be neutral in the talks.
I will only act as an intermediary; it is easier for me to talk with people I know well. For instance (if I were to say), "please don't be like that", it would be easier to say that in private than in public.
Do you have a special message for the four leaders?
I don't need to have one. I only hope as decisionmakers they can communicate with each other. (Asip Agus Hasani)