Heaven must have sent Gus Dur

Many believers, and probably also nonbelievers, would like to hope or expect that after a period of 2,000 years of civilization -- if the birth of Jesus Christ is to serve as a starting point -- more saints will descend from heaven to renew their messages of peace on earth and brotherhood among peoples.

Civilization actually began when the first caveman found out he could no longer walk around naked, or that stone could be turned into useful tools for chasing animals, or when women started looking for the best leaves in the woods to cover their breasts and genitals.

Instead, until about 40 days before the end of the second millennium and the start of the third, more shrewd politicians are on earth than are actually needed by the poor and the destitute, including refugees.

Instead of the arrival of God-sent saints or angels to bring the news of the Last Judgment, after such a long time span, the tidings I read in the Nov. 16 edition of this newspaper were Prostitution is growing in Belgium (page 6), Viagra deaths among tourists up in Thailand (page 7) and Mr. Yen to get IMF post (page 9). Luckily, U.S. President Bill Clinton praised human rights protection in the third biggest democracy on earth when he referred to Indonesia after he received President Abdurrahman Wahid, who we all know as Gus Dur, at the White House recently.

However, the moral warning and rescue must come from the man himself as the United Nations, despite its failures, has become a living testimony of this truth.

After 3,000 years of living on one planet, humans can now be proud that God has allowed them to have a communications satellite circling the globe so that humankind feels like one big family. But the youngsters of this big family have become obsessed about watching two people fight for their honor in boxing, just as their forbears did 5,000 years ago. There has actually been little change in hobbies over time, except the addiction to drugs nowadays.

When looking at the ants marching along the garden wall one morning, I realized that the third biggest democracy in the world is still grappling with the meaning of the democratic spirit of accepting defeat and religious teachings that the powerful must remain humble and tolerant, and that personal integrity and honesty, not wealth or ministerial seats, should be the ultimate goals of our leaders.

Despite his shortcomings and physical handicap, Gus Dur was rightly elected Indonesia's president. Indonesians should be grateful to the saints and angels for having directed them to the right path to choose the saintly Gus Dur for the country's top leader, who talks like a statesman, religious party leader and liberal democrat at the same time.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta