Gus Dur's style

Gus Dur's style

From Rakyat Merdeka

President Abdurrahman Wahid's (Gus Dur) zig-zagging work style continues even now that he is president. People are perplexed about his intentions.

This is demonstrated by Gus Dur's intention to open trade relations with Israel and his trip to China. He does not immediately address the Arab countries, which have Indonesia's full support. He does not seem to care about Indonesia's monetary crisis. He went to see Bill Clinton despite the fact that the U.S. always exerts pressure on Indonesia.

In response to the wish for a referendum in Aceh, Gus Dur promptly supported the idea, placing himself on the side of the Acehnese people to facilitate discussions with the people of that province. This has caused confusion everywhere.

In actual fact Gus Dur is consolidating the support of ASEAN countries and reducing the intervention of the U.S., which always interferes with the domestic affairs of a country in turmoil. Therefore we must trust Gus Dur's great sense of nationalism, especially with Megawati Soekarnoputri as vice president.

However, for the sake of the country's unity, after his visit to the U.S., Gus Dur should directly visit Aceh, and Megawati should go to the eastern part of Indonesia to solve the problems there.

The following deserves priority:

Government understanding of the demands of the local people and an attempt to meet them as best as possible.

Precedence given by the people to state problems over the interests of each region.

The majority of our people and the military (TNI) should not support the separation of the provinces from the Republic of Indonesia.

Each side should make a step back to reach the results wanted by all sides.

SUTIANTO TAN

Jakarta