Gus Dur's family apologizes to the nation

JAKARTA (JP): One day before Abdurrahman Wahid was to vacate the presidential palace and depart to the United States for "health reasons", his family thanked the nation and apologized for any errors they might have committed during the former president's 21-month tenure.

The remarks were personally delivered by Abdurrahman's second daughter Yeni, who spoke to journalists on behalf of the former first family.

Attired all in black with a matching black shawl, Yeni, whose full name is Zanubba Arifah Chafsoh, described herself as a family representative. She said she wanted to thank "all the groups who have given their support in these two years, and apologize if our family made mistakes".

She said the family felt profound encouragement and was moved by the continuing flow of sympathy they had received from the public following Abdurrahman's removal on Monday.

Despite his downfall, Yeni said she remained proud of her father's vision and political courage. She said her father would continue his struggle in serving the nation.

Yeni also sent a personal family message to newly appointed President Megawati Soekarnoputri, a long-time friend turned political foe of Abdurrahman.

"I pray for Mbak (sister) Mega in leading this country, that she can easily resolve the nation's problems," Yeni remarked.

This was first official public comment from Abdurrahman's family since he was removed from the presidency.

The usually outspoken Abdurrahman, who in the past needed no encouragement to speak out, has been uncharacteristically quiet since a failed attempt to suspend the People's Consultative Assembly in the early hours of Monday morning.

While Yeni took a conciliatory tone, her father sent out conflicting messages during separate meetings on Wednesday.

After meeting with Abdurrahman, Roeslan Abdulgani said the former president sent his best wishes to Megawati.

"Gus Dur hopes President Megawati succeeds in restoring the situation to a good way," Roeslan, who served as foreign minister in the mid-1950s, was quoted as saying by Antara.

In an interview with AP Television, however, Abdurrahman was defiant and lashed out at his former deputy.

"I will not issue any advice to Megawati. The ouster is illegal and I will have nothing to do with it... she doesn't put the interests of the nation and the country above her own," Abdurrahman said.

Depart

Abdurrahman is expected to leave Merdeka Palace, the official presidential residence, on Thursday.

He is expected to travel directly to the United States for a medical checkup.

"Tomorrow at 4 p.m., Gus Dur will leave the palace and head off to America," outgoing Minister of Justice and Human Rights Mahfud M.D. said after visiting the former president at Merdeka Palace.

Presidential protocol bureau chief Wahyu Muryadi said Abdurrahman, his wife Sinta Nuriyah, their four daughters, eldest daughter Lisa Abdurrahman's husband Erman and the couple's two- month-old son would all travel to the U.S.

The family plans to stay about one week in Baltimore, where Abdurrahman is expected to undergo his third checkup at John Hopkins Hospital.

Unlike the previous visits, this time they will travel on commercial flights.

Wahyu said U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz was among the prominent Americans who had encouraged Abdurrahman to have a checkup at the hospital.

"Not only Mr. Wolfowitz, many other Americans also want Gus Dur to visit them," Wahyu told The Jakarta Post when asked about the former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia.

A member of Abdurrahman's medical team, neurologist Yusuf Misbach, indicated that the nearly blind Abdurrahman was facing the same health problems he had before becoming president in October 1999.

"The evaluation of his health shows there are increasing risks of a relapse of the health problem he suffered before," Yusuf said, referring to the two strokes Abdurrahman suffered.

Friends and aides, including Mahfud, who have visited Abdurrahman described him as being in excellent health and still with his sense of humor.

The former first family also received leaders of major religions, who expressed their moral support. Before departing on Thursday, Abdurrahman is expected to address his supporters at the National Monument square. (prb)