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