Gus Dur's inconsistency draws harsh criticism

JAKARTA (JP): The standoff between Gen. Wiranto and President Abdurrahman Wahid ended with the suspension of Wiranto and the disappointment of experts and observers over the way Abdurrahman handled the situation.

Senior mass communications expert Astrid Susanto expressed her discontent with the President's actions, saying it could worsen the political situation by creating confusion and speculation.

"At a certain stage, speculation will lead to public distrust of the government," Astrid, who is also a House of Representatives legislator, said.

"The President should not make sensitive statements during his overseas trips. It could damage him."

As the head of state, Abdurrahman should not be overly hasty in responding to questions from the media, particularly if they deal with controversial issues, Astrid said.

The standoff between Wiranto and Abdurrahman began when the President, in response to questions from the media, revealed in Switzerland his plan to ask Wiranto to resign over his alleged role in last year's violence in East Timor. The issue then became the focus of his whirlwind tour, obscuring the original mission of his trip.

Wiranto refused to bow to Abdurrahman's call for his resignation, saying he would wait until the President returned home.

Abdurrahman raised more eyebrows on Sunday by changing his mind on Wiranto in the span of 12 hours.

The President announced at noon on Sunday that he would retain the defiant Wiranto in the Cabinet, but just before midnight he told several dailies he had reversed his decision.

A communications expert from the University of Indonesia, Muhammad Budyatna, said Abdurrahman was demonstrating his mastery of the psychological warfare of politics.

"Wiranto must have thought that Gus Dur would forgive him and keep him in the Cabinet, but I believe that the President had already taken the decision to sideline Wiranto long before he returned home," Budyatna said, referring to the President by his nickname.

He said Abdurrahman's reversal on Sunday was part of the President's particular style. He added that while many people may find this style inconsistent, he would rather judge the final result of the inconsistent statements.

"It's his style. People will be confused, but they should be careful to read beyond his statements. Those who know Gus Dur well can easily predict his impending decisions," he said.

Despite his praise, Budyatna suggested Abdurrahman recruit a team of advisers or consultants to help him tailor his statements to allow people to understand his style.

"What he has done is not that convincing. Gus Dur still talks on his own initiative and sometimes is even too reactive," he said.

Meanwhile in Yogyakarta, noted mass communications expert Ashadi Siregar said he believed there was good will behind the President's decision.

"Now our assumption is that all political decisions are based on interaction. We don't know with whom Gus Dur communicated after he made the first statement. So, I think it depends on who met him and spoke with him, then we can comment on why this and why that," Ashadi said.

A legislator from the Crescent Star Party (PBB), Ahmad Sumargono, accused Abdurrahman of being inconsistent.

"Wiranto has not been convicted. How come he is now being punished? There is a grave moral problem here, while we claim to defend the supremacy of the law," Sumargono said.

An Attorney General's Office team will be tasked with the formal investigation into Wiranto and four other military top brass implicated in the government-sanctioned inquiry into East Timor mayhem. (jun/emf)