No hidden motive behind this?

No hidden motive behind this?

An article appearing in The Jakarta Post on May 14, 2001,
titled NU warns of organized efforts to destroy RI, attracted my
attention because it showed political maturity and a true
democratic attitude. However, looking at the political origin of
the speaker, I cannot escape a feeling that there is a hidden
motive behind his statements, which I sincerely hope is not true.

Let us scrutinize what the NU (Nahdlatul Ulama Muslim
organization - not a political organization) chairman Hasyim
Muzadi said after attending an istigotshah mass prayer in
Samarinda.

He warned Indonesia of foreign efforts to destroy the country
and, as proof, pointed to the fact that an aircraft carrier is
moving toward Indonesian waters, which is similar to the period
leading to Sukarno and Soeharto's downfalls.

Sukarno and Soeharto's downfalls were not caused by foreign
efforts; and certainly not by the movement of one aircraft
carrier. The downfall of those two leaders was, in my opinion,
caused purely by Indonesians.

One aircraft carrier, however big and however many planes it
carries, will not be able to cause the downfall of our
government. After all, we still have the Indonesian military to
defend our country.

However, you have to consider his statement, and share his
mistrust, regarding concern over the behavior of members of the
political elite, who prioritize personal and group interests
above all others and often disregard the public interest.

This warning is of course also directed at the National
Awakening Party (PKB), which is uncompromising in its support of
the current president. PKB is a political party which, at this
moment, is in a very difficult political position. It has its
back against the wall and is feeling very lonely.

Some people think that supporters of the President play a dual
role, both overt and covert. While trying to play the political
game, in a purely legal and democratic way, they organize forces
which are preparing unlawful actions, like organizing death
squads or using violence to intimidate opponents, etc.

I remember when their supporters felled trees in East Java to
block traffic and the comment from the top was that those actions
were understandable because they were in an angry mood. When
supporters vowed to suck the blood from Amien Rais's body the
comments were "that is logical" because Amien Rais insulted an NU
leader.

Only at the end can we catch the real meaning of Muzadi's
warning, when he added that the move to unseat President
Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid would not bring about any improvement
to the country's situation, only more complications.

I read somewhere that the strength and stability of a country
depends on two important pillars, i.e. the clergy and state
officials. When these two groups are strong and compact then
there will be a strong and stable country. However, if these
groups are only thinking about their own fate, then the country
will suffer. Indonesia's strength, stability and prosperity at
this moment also depends upon these two other pillars i.e.
religious leaders and the political elite.

I hope the warning of Hasyim Muzadi will impart wisdom into
the hearts and minds of prominent politicians and religious
leaders and end the suffering and hardship of the people.

SOEGIH ARTO

Jakarta