Gus Dur's inconsistency draws harsh criticism
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)