Full-blown support given to Gus Dur worries politicians

SURABAYA (JP): More politicians expressed concern and worry on Friday over support given out of proportion to President Abdurrahman Wahid.

House of Representatives legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Zulfan Lindan and Ekky Syahruddin of Golkar Party told a discussion held in conjunction with the sixth congress of the Muslim Students Association Alumni (KAHMI) here that the behavior of Abdurrahman's supporters could drag the conflict between the political elite into fighting between the masses.

According to Zulfan, the fanaticism was reflected by mounting allegations that an interpellation motion and an inquiry into alleged graft linked to the President by the House were aimed at toppling Gus Dur, as the President is affectionately called.

"Even a Muslim cleric like Kyai Said Aqil Siradj has spoken of the possibility of (the supporters) using machetes to secure Gus Dur's position," Zulfan said.

Said is the deputy chairman of the law-making body of the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) Muslim organization, which was once chaired by Abdurrahman.

The House has voted overwhelmingly to summon Abdurrahman for questioning over his controversial policies. The questioning is scheduled for July 20. No date has been set for the inquiry into the scandal which allegedly involved members of Abdurrahman's inner circle.

Also speaking at the dialog was Fuad Bawazier, a legislator at the People's Consultative Assembly representing the National Mandate Party (PAN). Zulfan, Ekky and Fuad are KAHMI members, as is Taufikurrahman Saleh of the National Awakening Party (PKB), who failed to turn up for the dialog due to another commitment in Jakarta.

Zulfan defended the House's critical stance against Abdurrahman, saying it was just a natural response to the President's inconsistent policies.

Ekky echoed the signal of conflict between the political elite in the parliament, saying it was being directed at involving people in the grassroots.

"Frankly, I regret that certain people resorted to deploying the masses for the sake of Gus Dur. This means precious social costs because when the conflict reaches public level, there will be no winner and it will be very difficult to achieve a compromise," Ekky warned.

Political observers in Jakarta also cautioned on Friday that unseating Gus Dur would be too risky due to his large support.

Sociopolitical expert Imam Prasodjo said that overthrowing Abdurrahman would provoke NU supporters to revolt.

"If he (the President) is overthrown, it would seem that he was being played along by the Islamic modernists," Imam, a lecturer at the University of Indonesia said. "As a result NU would be very angry and the country would be ruined."

A similar caution was also voiced by the chairman of the newly declared Indonesian Axis, Eros Djarot.

"Overthrowing Gus Dur will only incite anger," he said without elaborating. "If (people) are moved from a nice place to a bad one, of course there will be anger," he said.

Imam and Eros were speaking at a discussion evaluating the present government's performance, which was organized by the Institute for Political Studies. Also speaking at the discussion was Abdul Qadir Djaelani of the Crescent Star Party (PBB). (10/nur)