Gus Dur panics
Gus Dur panics
From Koran Tempo
It is Dr. Nurcholish Madjid, known to be close to President
Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, who has commented that Gus Dur is in
a state of panic.
I believe Gus Dur should not be overwhelmed by panic as he has
got a good grasp of Islamic teachings and Javanese culture with
its emphasis on appropriate action. If he is convinced that he
has done nothing legally wrong, there is no need for Gus Dur to
panic.
Allow me to suggest to him that he should refrain from being
tempted by worldly things, including the position of a president.
If he has to step down from his presidential seat, he must accept
this magnanimously.
Being Javanese, Gus Dur must take the position of Petruk, a
character in the Javanese shadow puppet play depicting a person
no longer attached to worldly matters. He knows and understands
the way to return to God. One does not have to be a president to
be able to return to God. Even a pedicab driver can do so
provided he implements his teachings conscientiously.
MARSONGKO
Bogor, West Java