Gus Dur's leadership style

Gus Dur's leadership style

From Pikiran Rakyat

Although experts and the political elite have extensively criticized the leadership style of President Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, he will never change his style because it is part and parcel of his character.

Gus Dur's style of leadership is only what he is displaying now. If, for example, the National Unity Cabinet undergoes a total overhaul, the performance of the new Cabinet will hardly be better than the previous one because the leadership style adopted by Gus Dur remains the same.

The creativeness and activities of the ministers will be overshadowed by Gus Dur's "attractive" leadership style.

Compared with Indonesia's previous presidents, Gus Dur has the most legitimate position because he has been democratically elected by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

Perhaps MPR members chose Gus Dur, rather than the other candidate, because his election entailed a lower risk, considering the frightening national tension prevailing during the general session of MPR in 1999.

Perhaps, also, MPR members at that time paid more attention to establishing national stability than to the leadership style of Gus Dur. They might not have realized that electing Gus Dur would lead the country to its present condition.

What shall we do then? I believe the only way left to us is to maintain our patience and make sure that, pursuant to the constitution, Gus Dur completes his term of office in 2004.

If, after five years under Gus Dur's leadership, the condition of the country is not favorable, this must be the logical consequence of making him president.

DJUMDIAT RUHYANA

Garut, West Java