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