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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