Interaction of understanding

Interaction of understanding

From Rakyat Merdeka

It is common knowledge that President Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus Dur, was a cultural figure and the leader of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) before he was elected president, and has won national and international recognition in this respect. It is for this reason that he was elected president.

Many in the political elite and laymen have trouble understanding his thoughts and attitudes. Often, he has been considered slightly weird and controversial. Before he was elected president, many people could accept his behavior as the behavior of a cultural figure, a politician or the leader of NU.

Gus Dur's behavior and statements may have stemmed from his innocence and honesty. He would simply say whatever came to his mind. Besides, he may also have thought that his words were based on truth so that he would not need any fabrications to spare the feelings of others.

Things have changed now, however. Gus Dur is President and must therefore behave and act as one. He is no longer just the leader of NU or a cultural figure. With all modesty and without intending to sound avuncular, I wish to remind Gus Dur that he should slightly polish his behavior and be careful of his words in order not to give rise to polemic or protest.

It is true that a leader must have honesty and truth as his basic assets. However, honesty and truth can be conveyed without necessarily leading to controversy or offending other parties.

As people, we must see and regard Gus Dur as President and no longer as Gus Dur proper, whom we must be able to accept, understand and tolerate. Otherwise, there will some day be a cult of Gus Dur and this will be a disaster, not only for him but also for the Indonesian people.

On the other hand, Gus Dur must also realize that he is President and must attempt to make his words and behavior understood by his people. It must be a two-way communication because it is not only the people that must understand him but he himself must try to understand the people. In this way there will be an interaction of understanding. Sincere and good intentions will, God willing, bear fruit if conveyed nicely. Islam stresses both intention and the process of realizing this intention, doesn't it, Gus Dur?

DJOKO PURNOMO

Tangerang, West Java