Gus Dur's sting

Gus Dur's sting

I was speaking with my Singaporean friends after President
Abdurrahman Wahid's criticism of that island-state.

Most of them were very, very offended and said to me: "Who
does your President think he is, trying to threaten us by
persuading Malaysia to join forces and cut off the water supply
to Singapore."

They all believed Malaysia would not go for the idea, but even
if it did they said Singapore was a rich enough country that
their government would be capable of making things happen, i.e.
finding another water resource, even treating seawater, no matter
the cost.

I could say nothing to counter their comments. All I could do
was whisper to myself, "What a shame."

Y. LUCAS

Jakarta