Gus Dur's adultery issue

Gus Dur's adultery issue

From Jurnal Indonesia

President Abdurrahman or "Gus Dur"'s adultery issue is almost unbelievable. How is it possible that K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid, a kyai (Moslem religious scholar and educator), is willing to commit adultery? A kyai should set examples on how to properly lead a family life. Isn't adultery a sin and forbidden by the religion?

But after reading the story of Aryanti, the woman claiming to have committed adultery with Gus Dur, as published in the Gatra and Panji Masyarakat magazines, it seems that the adultery really happened. It's indeed hard to prove, unless the conscience speaks, either Aryanti's or Gus Dur's.

Gus Dur's response saying "why bother with such a thing" is notably regretted, as people do need Gus Dur's clarification. From his words, there is an impression that the President isn't seriously responding to this adultery allegations. This indicates that there is "truth" behind it.

This is what we are afraid of. Morally, people have come to know that their leader had committed adultery. After having committed such an immoral act, how will such a leader act in running his administration?

This adultery scandal reminds us of U.S. President Bill Clinton's immoral deeds with Monica Lewinsky. In the West, adultery might not be taboo. But in the East, where people still follow eastern cultures, adultery is forbidden. And unfortunately it was committed by President Gus Dur.

Nevertheless, we just can't punish Gus Dur, because adultery is someone's private affair; it is not a public affair. As a citizen who once hailed Gus Dur, I keep on asking myself. My respect towards him starts to diminish. I begin to disbelieve my own president.

ABDULLAH SUEB

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