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