Credibility of a president
Credibility of a president
From Suara Karya
The conflict between President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid and
Gen. Surojo Bimantoro has been going on with no signs of abating
and has been widely reported in the print and electronic media.
In the meantime, Commission I of the House of Representatives
continues to recognize Gen. Bimantoro as the National Police
chief and supports his decision to refuse his appointment as
Indonesia's envoy to Malaysia.
On the other hand, the President is of the opinion that Gen.
Bimantoro has committed an act of subordination, which is subject
to a penalty pursuant to police regulations. The House, however,
believes that Bimantoro's dismissal from his position as the
National Police chief is not in line with the prevailing
procedure stipulated by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
Decree No. VII/2000 on the role of the military (TNI) and the
National Police. This decree requires the dismissal and the
appointment of the National Police chief to be approved by the
House, a requirement that Gus Dur has ignored. The result of this
is that he and the National Awakening Party, the party that
supports him, have committed political suicide amid their
maneuvers to achieve a political compromise in the run-up to the
MPR's special session scheduled for Aug. 1, 2001.
Obviously, Gus Dur has done things which do not reflect his
position as the father of the nation that the people can look up
to as their model. It seems that what he has done is destructive
in nature.
In view of the above, it is necessary for Indonesia to have a
new president immediately, otherwise the people's sufferings will
only become more acute.
In this context, what Ibu Megawati Soekarnoputri has done in
conjunction with the upcoming special session is quite right. She
has mobilized her team to lead the country and included Pak
Soesilo Bambang Yudhoyono in this team. Pak Soesilo is a person
not expecting any reward for what he has done as he is truly
committed to this country.
His response to the executive order issued by the President in
his favor was testament to his wisdom and professionalism.
SOERYONO
Jakarta