On the nation's leaders

On the nation's leaders

From Media Indonesia

The appointment and dismissal of a Cabinet minister is purely the prerogative of the President. (Here we refer to the case of State Minister of Food and Horticulture Prof. Dr. A.M. Saefuddin.) This is in line with the 1945 Constitution. Whatever action the President takes against State Minister Saefuddin, allow me to make the following comments.

As an Indonesian citizen, I am deeply concerned about Pak Saefuddin's statement to the effect that, being a Moslem, he would make a better president than Megawati who is a Hindu. This statement may be interpreted to the effect that Pak Saefuddin is not a democrat. A true democrat should develop a sense of fair competition instead of demeaning another public leader like Megawati. The way Pak Saefuddin has presented himself as a presidential candidate clearly shows that he has lost self- confidence. It is too early for him to feel insignificant compared with the greatness of Megawati. It seems that he was drowning when he made his condemnation of Megawati. And a drowning person makes desperate efforts, and justifies every means, to keep himself afloat.

Second, Pak Saefuddin is not even a nationalist. If he had made the same statement in a country based on Islam such as the states in the Middle East, then he would be 100 percent correct. But, in fact, the founding fathers of our republic agreed to base the country on Pancasila. It seems that the country's philosophy does not conform with Pak Saefuddin's conscience and way of thinking. Truly all Indonesian citizens who love Pancasila as the nation's philosophy should feel concerned as although Indonesia has been independent for more than 50 years, there is still an Indonesian citizen entrusted to become a leader who is no longer taking the path of Pancasila.

It should remembered that in a Pancasila-based country, one's dedication to the country should not be valued on the basis of ethnicity, race, or the religion one professes, but rather on capability and loyalty toward the nation. Therefore, if a certain citizen like Megawati, regardless of whatever creed she professes, be it Islam, Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, there should be no hindrance whatsoever for her to lead the nation, provided that she has the capacity of a leader and is entrusted to hold that responsibility by the people as a whole.

As far as the nation's history is concerned, I have never had the slightest doubt that my Moslem brethren in Indonesia, although making up the majority of the country's population, have never forced and will never force their ideals upon the smaller groups who adhere to different faiths. I would like to offer my great admiration and deep respect for that.

Third, Bapak Achmad Tirtosudiro, the chairman of the Association of Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI) said that the Balinese people have overreacted against Pak Saefuddin's statement. Before one can object, it is necessary to study, in the first place, the way of life of the Balinese. It is no exaggeration, if I say that the spirit of nationalism, unity and integrity as well as Pancasila ideals are flourishing in Bali, which is a good example. It is also not surprising to see mosques, Buddhist temples, churches within the crowded Hindu-dominated localities in Bali. Never has any problem arisen from such a heterogeneous society. We all live in a pleasant harmonious atmosphere. The Moslems, the Christians, the Hindus and the Buddhists have always lived in peace, and concertedly adopt the ideals of: ahimsa (nonviolence), Tat Twam Asi philosophy (Thou art I, meaning you should love each other) and are afraid of the Karma Phala (the consequences of actions). And, therefore, the statement of Pak Saefuddin really came as a shock, like a lightning strike in broad daylight to Hindus, Moslems, Christians and Buddhists alike. What a disappointment!

In conclusion, if Balinese society demanded that Pak Saefuddin's ministerial post be terminated, it is by no means based on a feeling of revenge or the like, but with the sole reason that the nation's leaders should comprise figures who have nationalistic outlooks, and their subjects consist of Indonesian people living from the western tip of Indonesia, Sabang, to the eastern tip, Merauke, from East Timor to Sangir Talaud, whose race, ethnicity and religion vary.

NGURAH SIDARTA METRA

Jakarta