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