Gus Dur says he still respects Soeharto

Gus Dur says he still respects Soeharto

SURABAYA: Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid
admitted on Saturday to visiting his predecessor Soeharto on Idul
Fitri holiday.

"To be frank, I paid a visit to Pak Harto on Idul Fitri
because he is an old man but still has a strong influence on the
government," Gus Dur told 800 ulemas and members of the National
Awakening Party (PKB) which he helped found.

Gus Dur said although he fought Soeharto's New Order regime,
he had not lost his respect for the former president, who stepped
down in 1998 following massive rallies against him.

"I just followed the (Islamic) propagation strategy of Ahmad
Mutamakin. Cleric Mutamakin was an Islamic law expert who became
a leader but never faulted a ruler," Gus Dur said.

The forum was organized by the PKB faction which does not
recognize the leadership of Muhaimin Iskandar, who was elected in
a PKB congress in Semarang in April. The congress also elected
Gus Dur the party's chief patron. -- Antara