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