Gus Dur not fit as Father of Nation

Gus Dur not fit as Father of Nation

From Rakyat Merdeka

As an Indonesian citizen I object to the suggestion of giving Gus Dur, the former president, the title: "Father of the Nation", because, according to my observation, during his tenure he has not been an exemplary or noble leader.

His performance and integrity, in my opinion, worsened by his uncontrolled emotions, led to confrontational episodes and the issuance of the presidential decree.

As a proponent of democracy and a kyai (a venerated Muslim teacher/scholar), he was expected to edify the people at large: the "children of the nation", long burdened with a multidimensional crisis.

I think giving him such a title would be a "black mark" in our history, for we must remember that a country's history should contain aspects that are educational for the future generation. So let's try to avoid having future generations that will be "allergic" to their own history.

R SOEWARNO

Bekasi, West Java