Is Gus Dur living up to people's expectations?

Is Gus Dur living up to people's expectations?

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid is scheduled to
present his progress report at the Annual Session of People's
Consultative Assembly, which starts on Monday.

People are putting high hopes on President Gus Dur -- as he is
popularly called -- who came to power last October as Indonesia's
fourth president. They hope that the President will bring the
nation out of crisis, getting them out of the prolonged politic
and economic ruin. But things do not seem to be running smoothly.

The Jakarta Post talked to people from all walks of life about
their ideas regarding Gus Dur:

Soenarto Pr, painter/sculptor, 68, from Kembangan, West
Jakarta, Muslim and Javanese:

Gus Dur is a realistic-naturalistic artist, like a painter who
covers every inch of the canvas with a paint first, Gus Dur
covers every part of Indonesia. The form of the painting cannot
be seen, but all areas have been touched.

A painter works five times over his creation, first to cover
the canvas with paint, second to work on the composition, and
third to start on the form. The fourth time, the shape of the
painting can be seen, but only on the fifth time to the canvass
can the painting be seen as the painter means it to be.

Gus Dur's already touched a little bit of all areas. In those
areas, he pays attention to the stroke (of the brush), the color,
and the composition. But only a little bit at a time.

His difficulty is that he has to work on a damaged canvas. If
it was a new clean canvas, his work would be very easy, but Gus
Dur has to work with a canvas damaged by 32 years of decay.

We have to appreciate this, that Gus Dur has a very tough job.

I cannot say that Gus Dur has made no mistakes or experienced
no failures. Because, again in painting, the first stroke,
whether or not it is wrong, would go towards a better second
stroke. It would support the next stroke, and the next.

Gus Dur's main achievement is his ability to gain foreign
support for the territorial integrity of Indonesia. But people
are not easily appeased. Gus Dur should be wary of those who want
to destroy the country.

I think he needs to be given time and not be harassed.

The combination of Gus Dur and Megawati is very good. If
Megawati becomes president, those against her would try even
harder to dislodge her, which would anger her followers.

Gus Dur is the mediator, he is the middle choice. Yet it
seemed that now his position is in danger.

Hendrawan, national badminton player, 27, ethnic Chinese,
resident of East Jakarta.

Gus Dur has yet to fulfill the people's expectations, but I
see he's going in that direction. Unfortunately, his path is not
smooth because many people are trying to interfere. He hasn't
done much, but people have been impatient expecting instant
reform.

His toughest challenge is to eradicate corruption, collusion
and nepotism, which has become our culture. I experience it every
time I have to renew my ID, drivers' license, or passport.

Gus Dur has given freedom to people, especially ethnic Chinese
like me. We can celebrate Chinese culture and speak Chinese.

Unfortunately, he prefers to speak first and think later.
Sometimes this confuses the public, but I personally think it's
OK.

I support Gus Dur to finish his tenure until 2004. The
situation in Indonesia must be changed slowly and people must
realize that it can't be done instantly. Give him time to work.

H. Sutartono, an architect, resident of the Jatinegara
district, East Jakarta:

Gus Dur has failed to present himself as a president.

His controversial statements affected efforts to improve
economic conditions.

But he has won public sympathy, even among non supporters, as
people can finally accept him as a national leader. They know
that the political elite are the ones creating the problems. They
understand that Gus Dur cannot fix things in a matter of months.

Gus Dur should be given a chance to rule the country.

It's not because I have doubts about the leadership of Ibu
Megawati, but the country is experiencing serious political and
social problems. It will ensure stability if he remains as
president.

Cut Nurasikin, 45, businesswoman and chairwoman of the Banda
Aceh-based Yayasan Srikandi Aceh nonprofit foundation:

I don't think that Gus Dur has met our expectations. But he's
still the best compared to previous presidents. He is very
democratic and a humanist.

His biggest achievement is in laying down the foundation of
democracy while his biggest failure is in confusing people with
his conflicting statements.

His challenges are the undemocratic people around him. When he
taught people about democracy, he was attacked by those people.
He once spoke about a referendum in Aceh and immediately they
attacked him. I believe the conflict in Aceh could have been
reduced and settled if he had been given the chance.

He should remain president until 2004. He has not broken the
Constitution, has he? If the people want to unseat him now, why
did they elect him? The Assembly must be consistent. If it had
acted fairly, Megawati would be president, instead of Gus Dur.

Abdul Gani Nurdin, 55, a teacher at the School of Agriculture,
Syah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, and chairman of the testimony
team for the Independent Commission for Violence in Aceh:

Gus Dur has the good will to mend the country as expected by
the people. But, he has not met expectation due to the political
elites who are lacking a spirit of democracy.

He has few achievements to speak of. He has made some efforts
to promote reform and democracy. But he failed because he is
aides are mostly authoritarian.

His biggest failure is that he has kept KKN (corruption,
collusion and nepotistic practices) alive.

Unseating Gus Dur before 2004 would not solve anything. The
most important thing to do is to improve democratic awareness
among the political elites. Megawati for president? No way.

Angger Jati Wijaya, 35, activist of Yogyakarta NGO Forum:

Gus Dur succeeded in pushing the military out of the political
arena,

He has no sense of priority in handling the crisis.

He was elected President because he was widely accepted by
parties with various interests. Gus Dur should keep his job but
with some changes. He must stop making confusing statements and
stop his one-man-show leadership style. He should become a
statesman instead of a politician.

Sastroutomo, 60, a door-to-door shoe repair man in Yogyakarta:

Gus Dur is straight and honest. He is a kyai (elder teacher).
As a president he is good. He has supernatural powers, or else he
would not have been elected President.

His achievement? I'm sorry. What I know is that prices are
still high. The monetary crisis is still here. Things would
probably be different if Megawati were President. She is generous
and I believe she could make things better.

It would be better for Gus Dur to return to his previous life
as a kyai. No one would attack him. I'm sad to hear that people
say bad things about him. We should respect a kyai.

Ira Lasmidara, 24, student of the School of Communications,
Padjadjaran University, Bandung:

Gus Dur will retain his post until 2004, as he has the support
of the people. He was elected president when Indonesia was
starting to build its democracy.

He has failed to rebuild the economy but he has planted the
seeds of democracy and has promoted free speech. He has
anticipated and lessened the threat of disintegration. His main
challenges are the economy and poverty and KKN.

Megawati would make a better president than Gus Dur.

But I believe he is encouraging us to learn to live with our
differences of opinion.

There is no one else better than him (for the presidency) for
the time being.

Asep Sutisna, 23, a junior high school graduate working at a
telecommunication kiosk in Bandung:

I'm pessimistic that he can stay until 2004. He fails as a
leader. His statements sway with the wind. He fails to keep his
word. He promised to bring prices down, but nothing changed. I
respect him, as he has promoted free speech.

The main challenges he is facing are economic recovery and
KKN.

Common people don't care who is president.

Megawati is too silent, and she doesn't look like a thinker. I
don't think she makes a good leader. Amien Rais (speaker of the
People's Consultative Assembly) just talks and talks. Akbar
Tandjung (speaker of the House of Representatives) was part of
the New Order regime.

So it's not that easy to say who can lead the country.

Haslinda, a 22-year-old woman born in Gowa regency, South
Sulawesi, working for a private company in Makassar:

To some extent, Abdurrahman has met the people's expectations,
especially in promoting democracy and freedom of speech. But he
is inconsistent with his statements.

His big achievement is in promoting democracy. And his big
failure is his inability to bring Soeharto to trial.

He can stand until 2004. I don't think Megawati would make a
good president. She lacks leadership.

Iwan Taruna, 24, born in Bone regency, South Sulawesi, student
at the School of Social and Political Science, Hasanuddin
University, Makassar:

Gus Dur has not fulfilled the people's hopes. He has yet to
conduct the reform agenda consistently. He is involved in some
KKN practices, instead of eliminating them.

He has not made any achievement. He is too busy consolidating
his powers. His big failure is his inability to mend the economy
and settle conflicts in some areas.

The main challenges he is facing are the economic agenda and
the conflicts between religions in some provinces.

It's up to him if he can stay until 2004. Is he able to deal
with the economic problems and the bloody clashes in some places?

I don't think Megawati can lead the country. She would
eventually bring new frictions among the people as many are
against her vice presidential post. This is very dangerous.

Ahmad Fatihuddin, 39, director of PT Eka Silver, Surabaya:

Abdurrahman Wahid has yet to meet the people's expectation.
The corruption investigation against Soeharto has been a long and
winding process.

It is the President who has created confusion, not the
political elites. The result is that the investment climate
changes now and then. Bombs explode here and there.

His big failure is his inability to deal with disintegration
threats. He is going to repeat B.J. Habibie's mistakes by
'flirting' with the proindependence group in Irian Jaya. He has
failed so far in settling the clashes in Aceh, Maluku, Poso and
other places. His remarkable achievement is his success in
pressing the military to reform itself.

The main challenges he is facing are law enforcement and
disintegration threats. If he fails to deal with those issues the
military could return to power.

I am pessimistic that he will hold on to power until 2004. The
politic scene fluctuates like share prices.

I am also unsure if Megawati will be able to replace him. If
Megawati has a solid and smart team of advisors, she may be able
to lead the nation.

From the beginning I disagreed with Gus Dur's appointment as
president. Logically, we can simply say that he has a physical
handicap. Would you elect someone with a physical handicap as
your neighborhood chief? Megawati should have been the president.

Tri Suhariyadi, 26, a student at the School of Social and
Political Science, AL Falah University, Surabaya:

It is not easy to say that Gus Dur has made a good President.
He has disappointed many people, who had seen him as a true
democrat. He is always upset upon hearing criticism against him
and says there are people who want to topple him. In this way he
is killing democracy.

His big achievement is his ability to draw the common people,
who have less political knowledge. His inability in handling a
series of communal conflicts is recorded as his big failure.

A lack of confidence is the biggest challenge he is now
facing. This could ruin the teamwork among his aides.

I am doubtful if he'll still be there until 2004. But his
steadfast supporters could help him retain his post. I can't
trust Megawati. This is a big dilemma.

Alamsah S. Wibowo, 28, a private company employer living in
Purwokerto, Central Java:

People are dissatisfied with Gus Dur's performance. A series
of clashes and terrors reflect his Cabinet's inferiority. He has
made too many controversial statements. Maybe only members of the
Nahdlatul Ulama can accept them. He has also failed to keep his
promise to restore the economy. Yet the rupiah is still sick.

His achievement is national reconciliation. He succeeded in
uniting various elements. But he has failed to create security
among the people. His controversial statements could evoke riots
and other unexpected violence.

A.A. Oka Wisnumurti, 35, head of the State Administration
Department at the School of Social and Political Science,
Warmadewa University, Denpasar:

Gus Dur has succeeded in promoting freedom in Indonesia. He
also managed to boost civil and democratic society. These are his
achievements. However, he has failed to stabilize the ruined
economy and to secure the nation from violence.

The main challenges he is now facing are economic
stabilization and security affairs.

I am sure that he will stay until 2004. We would have to pay
dearly for unseating him midway through his term. Toppling him
could lead to uncontrollable chaos.

Not even Megawati could fill the presidential position, since
she will face tough challenges from the Islamic (political)
forces. Megawati should be in the presidential chair, because her
party won the general election. But the Islamic parties formed a
coalition to deny her victory. Such a coalition may happen again
in the future.

Dr. Luh Ketut Suryani, 56, a scholar in Denpasar:

His performance is disappointing. In one year he has not only
confused people, but also his Cabinet. Gus Dur is too busy
provoking everybody with his statements. It seems that he has no
time left to govern the country properly.

His greatest achievement is his many trips abroad, which has
cost almost Rp 52 billion. His biggest failure is his inability
to form an effective administration with members of a Cabinet who
have the same vision and mission.

I don't have any idea if he will survive until 2004. I am not
a political analyst. But, one thing I know for sure is that the
people are already fed up with all the uncertainties.

The presidential post demands high qualification, meaning
that, currently, not one Indonesian political figure has it.

Firel Sahetapy, 37, a lawyer in Ambon:

In terms of openness, democratization and anything having to
do with protocols, Gus Dur has met the people's expectations. But
not in other areas.

He has eliminated the military's dominance in the
administration, and he is good at lobbying for support from
foreign countries. But he has yet to succeed in restoring the
economy and wiping out corruption, cronyism and nepotism. He has
yet to see that the law is enforced properly.

The main challenges he is facing are national disintegration
and economic recovery.

There are various aspects that will decide whether or not he
stays in power until 2004. If judged by his charisma, it is
likely he will remain president until 2004. (If he steps down)
Megawati may deserve the presidential post, but the political
elite will decide. Gus Dur was the right figure to be elected
President by the MPR last year.

A.R. Dudung Natanegara, Vice President of Development and
Relations of Conoco Indonesia Inc. Lives in Pejaten Timur, South
Jakarta, Muslim, 51 years, Sundanese:

People's expectations have been too high, not even an angel
could fix the problems of this country. It's easy to blame
everything on Gus Dur, while those in charge of implementing the
reforms are hiding.

Gus Dur's biggest achievement is introducing Indonesia to
democracy and human rights.

His biggest failures are in the fields of economy and in
restoring political stability.

Gus Dur certainly deserves a chance to stay on until 2004. We
have all agreed to elect him as president. Part of being
democratic is to stick to our agreements. Otherwise we would have
a new president every three months. Anarchy comes when we cannot
make compromises and hold only our opinion as absolute truth.
What disgusts me is that people who had brought Gus Dur to the
presidency are now turning their back on him.

Ichsanuddin Noorsy, 42, public policy analyst, former member
of the House of Representatives and host of political talkshows.
Lives in Tebet, South Jakarta:

Gus Dur has failed to live up to expectations. He has failed
to use the legitimacy check. He has failed to unite the country's
executive and legislative branches. He has also failed to recruit
his cabinet members. All these problems have created social,
economic and political costs.

His strongest achievement is only in promoting legitimacy to a
certain extent.

If Gus Dur is to step down before his term ends, there will be
some social and political costs.

He can stay until 2004 as long as he can prove to the people
that he can restrain himself from making controversies, and if he
can pick credible people to run his administration. But if he
fails again, the cost would be even greater.

With regards to Megawati, she could become a better president
as long as she picked credible people to run her administration
because she can't run a country on her own.

Ahmad Mustofa, taxi driver in Tangerang, West Java:

Insya Allah (God willing), Gus Dur will be president until
2004. He's quite successful in the economic sector because I find
life is easier now than before.

But he has to do more about security and corruption cases.

I know there are efforts to topple him, but I'm sure he will
survive because he has a lot of supporters. He will be just fine.

I don't think Megawati will be able to replace him because
she's not that good. Besides, she's losing her support.

Lucky, taxi driver of Surabaya origins, in Jakarta:

As a member of Nahdlatul Ulama, I'm hopeful Gus Dur will be
able to keep the presidency until 2004. My intuition says he will
stay.

He has some bad grades. He has to work harder especially on
the economic and security problems. He cannot yet release his
kyai (religious teacher) style or stop from treating his subjects
as his santri (pupils).

If he cannot survive the MPR, Megawati is good enough to
replace him. It's much better than organizing another election.
(team)