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)