Gus Dur vows to remain critical

PALEMBANG: Former president Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur as he is familiarly known, said he would continue criticizing his successor President Megawati Soekarnoputri as the Constitution guaranteed freedom of speech.

"The Constitution guarantees my freedom to talk about anything. This country has the right to know what is right. As long as nobody else speaks the truth, I will keep on talking out," Abdurrahman said.

He was commenting on Megawati's request for him to stop criticizing her, especially against the backdrop of the current wave of antigovernment rallies.

Abdurrahman, who was ousted from office, ostensibly for incompetence, contended that his statements were aimed at helping Megawati improve her leadership and not to rock her administration. -- Antara