Prepare yourself, Mr. President!
Prepare yourself, Mr. President!
From Koran Tempo
President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid has again exhibited overconfidence in his attitude toward politics. During an interview with Maria Ressa from CNN Jakarta bureau on July 12, he was very confident that he would survive the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) slated to be held ahead of schedule.
He also felt sure that he could retain power until an accelerated general election. He adamantly reiterated in the interview that to demand an accountability report from him prior to 2004 would be unconstitutional.
That is one of the President's ways of resolving problems. Hardly has he been able to solve one problem when a second one appears. With the President, one problem always spawns another, adding more complication to the already complicated. His order to arrest National Police chief Gen. Bimantoro and Jakarta Police chief Sofyan Jacob, despite his recent denial of having done so, is a clear example.
His "by-fair-or-foul-means" style has been encountered with strong opposition and defiance: police insubordination.
His self-style and easy going character surely harm his logic, turning all authority and procedures topsy-turvy. He always resolves conflict by taking the law into his own hands and answering logic with words of force.
Observing Abdurrahman's style and actions makes us lose patience; it is totally unbearable. Instead of making conducive statements, he creates none other than chaos and controversy. He exaggerates things.
Our country is under the serious threat of destruction because its president has become a productive factory continuously churning out problems. The President is not seen as one to rely on for addressing national issues but rather has become a source of problems.
We have wasted a lot of energy and exerted our wits to deal with this particular president. Therefore, the decision made by the MPR speaker to hold the special session ahead of schedule following the order for the police chief's arrest is absolutely fitting. The action is so right as the people are extremely fed up with the President's useless and boring rhetoric. The people of this nation are racing against time: between new problems created by the President along with the complications entailed and the ability of the MPR to hold him accountable.
The MPR special session is a constitutional forum and "it is drawing nearer and nearer", said MPR Speaker Amien Rais, asking all members to brace themselves in anticipation of a snap plenary session.
Let the MPR members correct their own mistakes for having elected Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid as president. We hope that Abdurrahman will face the special session with a big heart.
Dear Gus Dur, you'd better prepare yourself rather than waste your energy thinking about issuing a decree, which would create more harm than benefit. Make a good accountability report, recite more prayers, perform more tahajud prayers and reduce your visits to ancestors' graves.
ICHWAN M. SITUMEANG
Jakarta