Gus Dur, think before you speak

Gus Dur, think before you speak

From Rakyat Merdeka

I looked forward to viewing the interview with President Abdurrahman Wahid, who we know as Gus Dur, on RCTI on Jan. 23 because it was set to address various problems confronting the nation, including the polemics dividing the community.

But I was dismayed when during the program, which was anchored by Adolf Posumah with a social observer on hand, Gus Dur made what I considered arrogant statements about Indonesia's attitude to Australia and the role of Indonesian students in effecting reform in the country.

Unless I am mistaken, he seemed to disparage Australia and also the role of the students in the national political arena. Unfortunately, I cannot give his exact quotes on the issues.

In connection with Gus Dur's statement about Indonesia's attitude toward Australia, we all know that Australian Prime Minister John Howard made comments which were offensive to the Indonesian people.

However, if the government is strongly committed to establishing good relations (as Gus Dur himself stated in the interview), this commitment should not be undermined by a statement which may offend Australia.

In response to Adolf's question about the role of students, Gus Dur said something to the effect of, "Who do they think they are?" It gave the impression that Gus Dur was belittling the role of the students as catalysts for reform in country. Aren't we all aware that it was student pressure which caused the collapse of both the Old Order and New Order?.

The statement would not have been much of a problem for me if anyone else said it, but unfortunately the speaker was Gus Dur.

EDIYAR MIHARJA D.

Jakarta