Honesty cynically responded to

Honesty cynically responded to

From Rakyat Merdeka

I am keeping abreast of the news in Rakyat Merdeka because the language they use is simple but to the point, and is easily digested. However, after reading a brief explanation under my picture titled Kiai Tiga Miliar (Three Billion Clerics), I was bewildered and unable to understand what was meant by the paper. And therefore I will use this opportunity to straighten out some points: * It is not true that I am one of the top officials of the central executive board of the National Awakening Party. For confirmation, please check with the board's secretariat. Thank God, up to now I have had no interest in joining any political party. I still have the mandate and trust to serve as an adviser to the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) for 1999-2004 period and as a member of the People's Consultative Assembly for the same period. * In principle, I have no objection at all with regard to my wealth. I have reported to the State Officials' Wealth Audit Commission and was quoted as saying so by Rakyat Merdeka under the title Kiai Tiga Miliar. But lamentably, despite the fact that I reported my wealth prior to the time limit set by the commission, my effort to honestly report my wealth was unfairly rendered by the paper and treated with scorn. The word "suspicious" in the paper showed obvious prejudice against me. * It is again not true that I obtained my wealth -- as implied in the report -- from my close proximity to the President. * Rakyat Merdeka should have ensured its reporter was more sensitive to the facts so that other public officials would follow in my footsteps in upholding the principle of honesty and transparency. As a matter of fact, there are a lot of officials who have filed false reports on their wealth and there are still others who haven't reported their wealth.

I hope my clarification will serve as a lesson for the press in general, and Rakyat Merdeka in particular, so that in presenting their reports they will prioritize ethics and morality rather than commercial gains.

SAID AGIL SIRADJ

Jakarta