King Solomon's wisdom

The House of Representatives has proposed two candidates for the post of chief justice, one of whom will be selected by the President. It is very obvious that Mr. Muladi is not Mr. President's favorite choice. It is a fact of life that personnel is always the problem and the personnel is always the solution.

King Solomon had faced a dilemma when he had to decide who among two women was the true mother of a baby. He ordered the palace guards to cut the baby into two so that both women would be able to share the baby (a win-win solution). One of the women thought that her King was insane. So she yelled that she wasn't the mother of the baby and requested the King deliver the baby to the other woman. King Solomon impressively showed his wisdom by rendering these decisions (i) to give the baby to the woman who had claimed that she wasn't the mother and (ii) to hang the other woman. King Solomon fully understood that the greatest thing a mother will do for her child is to sacrifice her own life (from the moment the baby is born).

I have confidence that our President will able to act like King Solomon, in particular with the selection of the chief justice. Wisdom gives men a long and good life, honor, pleasure and peace.

Good luck Mr. President!

RICHARD ADAM

Jakarta