Gus Dur keeps playing with power

Gus Dur keeps playing with power

From Rakyat Merdeka

In an effort to increase his popularity, President Abdurrahman
"Gus Dur" Wahid called on the people to contribute input to him
on the concept of total reform. He said this in front of the
Betawi community while the latter was holding a get-together in
the framework of molding a harmonious life.

Gus Dur's speech was again categorized as controversial in
nature. It was very clear that Gus Dur had never ceased playing
with power. He picked up the idea of total reform from the
demonstrators who shouted wildly at the time they took to the
streets.

As a matter of fact, the President should only interpret the
decrees of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and not
necessarily ask for more work from the people, which would only
add to his burdens.

I agree to what has been said by Nurcholish Madjid that, as
far as authority is concerned, Gus Dur's leadership is very weak,
if not paralyzed. There are three reasons on which Nurcholish can
base his arguments.

First, Gus Dur has established no vision to which we all can
refer. This is obvious when he asked for a concept of total
reform from the people. Second, he cannot communicate properly.
Not a single prominent figure of the elite is willing to meet
with him for fear of being disappointed. And third, the fact that
he has bad managerial capabilities. The frequent changes of his
cabinet ministers are obvious evidence of this.

Given all of these facts, it is only fair that many prominent
figures and the public demand his resignation.

I can only agree with the people's demand. If Gus Dur resigns
he will remain a respected personality, even more so as a former
president. But if he continues to retain his presidency this will
become otherwise, and he will only have support from members of
the Nahdlatul Ulama in East Java, which were somewhat engineered
to that effect. While the majority of the East Javanese keep
wondering about the way Gus Dur has stubbornly maintained his
present position he seems to be enjoying himself very much as the
President of the republic, doesn't he?

AJI JAKA PERMANA

Jakarta