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