Political lies lead to disaster

Political lies lead to disaster

Political structures built on lies, seen solid from the
outside, will not last and will succumb to the forces of truth in
the end.

A book to that effect, mostly referring to the New Order, was
launched on Sunday (August 6) by the Sinar Harapan publishing
company. It contains views and statements by a leading member of
the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and
former banker before he became a minister in the reform cabinet.
The statements and views are compiled and edited by well-known
biographer Ramadhan KH who also provides an introduction to the
book.

It is not my purpose to discuss the contents of the book as I
am afraid I shall not be objective in my judgment since the
subject is Laksamana Sukardi, the name I gave him when he was
born and for which I still feel morally responsible until today.
You see, Laksamana means admiral, and I had no permit from the
navy to give him that rank.

I just want to reveal here that Laksamana resisted publication
until the last minute because he feared the book would be seen as
an attempt to write his biography. The proper time for that has
not come since he needs to accomplish more for his country and
people, he argued.

But Ramadhan insisted that views and ideas expressed by the
"Admiral" should be widely known, especially to the younger
generation who may see in him an example of honesty and
perseverance and willingness to sacrifice. He gave up a well-
paying job at Lippo Bank to join a small political party, the PDI
Perjuangan.

For months there was no decision and Ramadhan and the Sinar
Harapan publisher could not start publishing without the approval
of Laksamana. My personal interference as a parent had been to no
avail.

Finally, when he was no longer minister, he gave the go-ahead.
He even was willing to contribute two flashbacks to make the book
more suitable to the present era of reform. The Indonesian title
was then changed to Kita Banyak Dusta (We are lying too much).

On this occasion I would like to mention that I saw American
Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Gelbard, legislator Arifin
Panigoro, senior journalists Rosihan Anwar, Jeffry Winters, Jusuf
Ronodipuro, former press official Subrata and others who came to
witness the launching of the book.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta