Gus Dur wants to resume duty

Gus Dur wants to resume duty

JAKARTA (JP): Despite still undergoing treatment in the
intensive care ward, Abdurrahman Wahid is already eager to return
to his office, his wife said here yesterday.

Abdurrahman has told relatives that he wanted to go to the NU
headquarters on Jl. Kramat Raya, Central Jakarta, Nuriyah told
reporters.

"We all know what kind of situation we are in now and prior to
his hospitalization, his mind was occupied with this situation,"
said Nuriyah. "So, it's normal that he's thinking about returning
to his office."

The economic crisis has affected the country since July last
year following the rupiah's drastic plunge against the U.S.
dollar.

The situation has been compounded by mounting private sector
external debt and heightened political sensitivity about the next
president and vice president.

But Nuriyah hoped Abdurrahman's health would continue to
improve.

"Abdurrahman does various hand and leg movements on his bed
every morning to stretch his muscles," Nuriyah said.

Abdurrahman, chairman of the 30-million-strong Nahdlatul Ulama
(NU) Moslem organization, underwent brain surgery at Cipto
Mangunkusumo Hospital in Central Jakarta after suffering a stroke
Monday evening.

He was rushed to the hospital after he fell unconscious in the
bathroom at the NU headquarters.

Doctors said Abdurrahman would need rest to speed up his
recovery.

The list of prominent people visiting him continued yesterday
with Amien Rais, the leader of the Muhammadiyah Moslem
organization, arriving at the hospital late in the afternoon.

Abdurrahman, 57, is a grandson of NU's founding father, Hasyim
Azhari, and son of former NU chairman, Wahid Hasyim.

Abdurrahman is also known as a prominent government critic and
an influential commentator on political and social issues. (10)