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