Gus Dur's allegations

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