Gus Dur's diplomatic offensive
Against the backdrop of political uncertainty, if not turmoil, as a result of the clamor for a greater say in the affairs of the state through autonomy or outright independence, President Abdurrahman Wahid's third overseas trip, this time to a group of Mideast countries (Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan) looks more like a risky balancing act than a diplomatic offensive in search of economic possibilities (read investment or assistance).
This time Abdurrahman, better knows as Gus Dur, is putting his personal integrity as a Muslim leader at stake and apparently not without success. The first lady, although temporarily confined to a wheelchair, has been permitted, so to speak, to watch the operation to gain greater international confidence. Perhaps she also wishes to show that women in Indonesia have equal rights with men, even in a wheelchair.
Still, some eyebrows have been raised among his supporters and outright disapproval has been expressed by his critics because the President seems to be prioritizing foreign trips instead of visiting trouble spots at home. One explanation is that Gus Dur wants to establish personal contact with leaders of the countries Indonesia may still, and likely will, depend on for its future economic recovery. But what about the pressing problems at home?
In this light, I cannot agree more with amicable legislator Sabam Sirait that Gus Dur does not need to personally go to trouble spots while he has so many ministers at his disposal. The people who should be expected to take such initiative are, of course, the minister of home affairs and the minister in charge of regional autonomy, the governors of the regions in question and political leaders of all parties representing the provinces in question. Sabam Sirait rightly asked: "What are they doing?"
People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, who took the commendable initiative to meet with students in Makassar, had to pay a high price when he had to be rushed to the airport in a police car which was pelted with stones. This while the students know that Amien is a moderate politician who is ready to accept federalism if the time comes and the need arises.
I now feel that a personal visit by either Gus Dur or Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri to the trouble spots at this stage is not recommendable or useful; let the ministers do the job first.
Yet, it would be wise for Gus Dur to postpone his visit to the People's Republic of China until after the Aceh problem has been settled.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta