Gus Dur seeks 'higher' guidance

SURABAYA (JP): When faced with critical moments and times of adversity, Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid is renowned not only for his diplomatic skills, but also his habit of seeking "guidance" from the world beyond by visiting the graves of elders.

Before defeating Megawati Soekarnoputri in the presidential election in October 1999, he visited the grave of Megawati's father, the country's first president Sukarno.

On the eve of what looks to be an impending second censure motion from the House of Representatives, a new low in the President's career, Abdurrahman on Saturday again engaged in his customary rite by visiting the tomb of his mother Sholehah and her father Bisri Syansuri inside the Mambaul Ma'arif Islamic boarding school in Denanyar village, Jombang, East Java.

Accompanied by first lady Sinta Nuriyah the President prayed devoutly in front of the grave. A car accident in 1993 took the life of his mother Sholehah and seriously injured Sinta Nuriyah.

During the visit the first family was warmly welcomed by local residents.

Abdurrahman made few remarks and shied away from comments about his impending political battle.

Visiting elders' graves has been a habit that Abdurrahman has tried to keep up throughout his travels in the country as President.

It is no secret that Abdurrahman would often seek out a ancient grave on the sidelines of an official visit to a particular town.

His second daughter Yeni Wahid once recalled how her father cried in front of a grave of a famous ulema in East Java and then told her that he was inspired by the spirit of the dead person.

However shortly after his return from the cemetery, a close relative told him that Abdurrahman had visited the wrong tomb.

The one-day sojourn to East Java must have been a refreshing break for the President away from the capital which has seen him exposed to his harshest critics, as East Java is known as a bastion of support for the embattled President.

Earlier in the morning, Abdurrahman visited Bangkalan regency, on Madura Island.

The President had boasted in the past that the island would be one of the regions which would rebel against the central government if he was ousted from the presidency.

At the Sembilangan Islamic boarding school, he launched a reforestation movement for Madura.

In what could also be perceived as an apparent message of peace to his political opponents, the President released 50 pigeons.

Abdurrahman called on people to protect the flora and fauna in the area, warning that many birds were becoming extinct or had migrated because their habitat had been destroyed.

In his customary habit of cracking jokes, Abdurrahman then quipped: "Many birds had been captured. Eventually there would be no more birds in our forests and all that would be left would be your own cocks!"(nur/prb)