Intellectual wooed by politicians

JAKARTA (JP): Intellectual Emha Ainun Nadjib, who has been wooed for membership by the three political contestants, said Sunday he did not care less if his name was used for publicity by any political party.

Emha earlier turned down the United Development Party's (PPP) offer of a seat in the House of Representatives. He was also reportedly approached by the ousted leader of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The three political organizations -- PPP, PDI, and the ruling Golkar -- will compete for 425 seats in the 500-seat House Representatives in next year's election. The remaining 75 seats have been allocated to the Armed Forces, whose members do not vote.

"I don't mind if any of the political organizations contesting next year's election want to use my name. Even Allah Almighty does not seem to mind if His name is exploited for practical purposes," said Emha during the launching of the book Tadjus Sobirin Tokoh Tanggung dari Kampung (Tadjus Sobirin. Halfway Hero from the Village).

Tadjus is chairman of the Jakarta chapter of Golkar.

Emha, a Yogyakarta-based playwright, poet and columnist, said Indonesia was in the midst of psychological and political conflicts. He did not elaborate.

He said only "the ability to laugh at ourselves is therefore extremely crucial for the nation to ease the tension".

Emha's critical stance on various sociopolitical issues have in the past resulted in the banning of his plays or poetry readings in several cities.

Also known for his dry humor, Emha said he was attracted to Tadjus for the latter's deep sense of humanity and not because of his political affiliation.

Tadjus is outspoken. When he was regent of Tangerang, West Java, he grabbed nationwide attention by placing a knife in front of a Golkar executive and asking him to slit his throat if he failed to win victory for Golkar in his regency.

Aburrahman Wahid, leader of the 30-million strong Nahdatul Ulama Moslem organization, said in the book's prologue that Tadjus should be noted for his loyalty to the public. (06)