Gus Dur's allegations

A week following the dismissal of yet another two ministers by President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) from his Cabinet, some questions remain unanswered. Will Gus Dur comply with the request for his ousted former assistants to retract his accusations that the motive behind the latter's sacking had been their alleged involvement in corruption, collusion and nepotism (KKN). The two ministers, Laksamana Sukardi and Yusuf Kalla, have denied the charges and demand concrete proof or rehabilitation of their names.

Originally the motive for removal was said to be the failure of the ministers to cooperate with their colleagues on the economic team. Then Gus Dur switched gears and told a closed session of the House of Representatives that according to his "team of whisperers" the ministers were guilty of KKN.

I think that Gus Dur's inconsistency in this respect showed that he was not sincere, in other words he himself was not too convinced, of his allegations. If he had deliberately lied to make his charges sound more credible, then he has committed a breach of morality considering that in addition to being a head of state, he is also a cleric.

If the charges contain elements of political or even personal slander, Gus Dur has committed a sin and is not worthy to be head of state any longer. Unlike in the USA, fortunately for him, to lie as head of state is not seen as a breach of the constitution that allows impeachment proceedings to begin.

However, in appointing his own party member to the vacant post for everybody to see, it has been Gus Dur himself who is seen by many as guilty of KKN. What can one think when, after only two days following installation, the replacement minister (Rozy Munir) was reported by a leading newspaper to have accepted bribes in the form of cash and cars?

Does it not matter in Gus Dur's judgment that the new ministers are less qualified and less experienced in their field? How could he expect the economy to recover more speedily by introducing his close whisperers who are internationally less credible and less professional in standards? Gus Dur's moral edge and influence have been badly tarnished.

Why has Laksamana Sukardi's party, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-Perjuangan), and in particular its chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri reacted so disappointingly slow and hesitant to show a more evident protest?

It looks like the days of his coalition cabinet or those of Gus Dur's himself, are numbered. How does he prove that his allegations are true, and not just hearsay?

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta