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)