Democracy threatened

Democracy threatened

When President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's fanatical
supporters first began to register themselves (to be sent to
Jakarta), people thought they were all merely taunting (their
opponents). But now, since they have been given military-style
training, it seems they truly mean business.

They plan to come to Jakarta if the House of Representatives
(DPR) passes a second memorandum to censure the President.

How forbidding a republic this country would be if this
Pasukan Berani Mati (group prepared to fight to the death) really
came to Jakarta. As the organization which those people claim to
support, the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) board should take
responsibility for this action, which would for certain backfire
on both the President and NU.

Indonesia is a country whose leaders have pledged to uphold
the Constitution and democracy. Now, however, before our very
eyes, evidence is being presented of how the very principles of
democracy and constitutionality are being demolished.

The Wahid camp may hold the view that the DPR's memorandums
are illegal. Still, the first memorandum was supported by eight
factions commanding the majority of seats in the DPR. It was
(mostly) those same members who (in 1999) elected Abdurrahman
Wahid president -- and the election of the former NU chairman was
greeted with jubilation, especially by President Wahid's
supporters.

Therefore, if now Wahid is censured by that same institution
-- the legislature -- his supporters should also greet it with an
open mind.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta