CSIS asked to prove that its serves the nation
CSIS asked to prove that its serves the nation
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid called on the Centre
for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to heed criticism
it had become overly exclusive, urging the 28-year-old think tank
to demonstrate its work served the entire nation.
Speaking during a breaking-of-the-fast gathering at the CSIS
office on Jl. Tanah Abang II in Central Jakarta, the President
quipped that some people teased CSIS as an acronym for Cina
Senang, Indonesia Susah (Chinese are happy, Indonesians in
trouble).
"Regardless of whether the criticism is right or not, let's
learn from it if we don't want to continue to be regarded like
that," said Abdurrahman, who professed to be a devoted supporter
of CSIS.
The President's remarks were in response to comments by the
CSIS' Harry Tjan Silalahi during an informal discussion before
breaking the fast.
Harry, in his welcoming remarks, said CSIS would assist the
new government by being critical.
When Harry asked the President to pour out a few "watery words
of wisdom" for the audience, Abdurrahman, who seemed to be in a
facetious mood, replied: "I won't just give you nice words, but
I'll pour you acid water."
Accompanied by First Lady Sinta Nuriyah, Abdurrahman arrived
at the office about 20 minutes before the breaking of the fast at
6:07 p.m.
About 100 guests were present, including businessman Sofyan
Wanandi, chairman of the CSIS board of directors Djisman
Simandjuntak and Bank Danamon founder Usman Atmadjaja.
Budiman Sudjatmiko of the People's Democratic Party (PRD), who
was recently released from prison, and his girlfriend Catherine
were also present.
"I am sure many people will be upset by my presence here,"
Abdurrahman said of people's reaction to his visit to CSIS.
He recalled how in the past he had been branded an agent of
Israeli's Mossad, the United State's Central Intelligence Agency
(CIA) and Russia's KGB because of his ties with CSIS.
"It is actually impossible to work simultaneously for the CIA
and KGB because they are arch rivals," he laughingly said.
On the sidelines of the gathering, Sofyan clarified a
statement he had made about Coordinating Minister for Economy,
Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie on Saturday.
Kwik reacted strongly to Sofyan's statement that Kwik's
performance in the Cabinet would reflect on Chinese-Indonesians
as a whole and thus the country's ethnic Chinese should support
him.
"If he feels that my statement harmed him, I can only say
sorry, but I did not have that intention. I think I support him,"
Sofyan told The Jakarta Post before the President's arrival.
Sofyan said the statement was made in response to journalists'
questions after his installment as the chairman of the newly
established National Business Development Council by the
President on Saturday.
"I just conveyed the concerns of some people in the Kota
area," Sofyan said in reference to the ethnic Chinese dominated
business district in West Jakarta.
Sofyan acknowledged his views often differed from those of
Kwik in the past, but added the differences never affected their
personal relationship.
"We may have our own views," said Sofyan before Harry
interrupted him and advised him not talk to the press too much.
Separately, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
warned the members of the National Business Development Council,
which include several tycoons, not to abuse their positions on
the council for their own interests.
"If among them there are some who face bad debt problems, the
House expects them to put aside their business interests when
working for the council," Antara quoted him as saying.
The personnel of the 18-member council include Medco Group
owner Arifin Panigoro, Aburizal Bakrie of the Bakrie group, and
Maspion's Markus Alim and Great River's Sunyoto Tanudjaja.
Sofyan himself has promised to quit the Council if he fails in
his mission in helping the government restore the economy.(prb)