President and the New Order

President and the New Order

From Republika

We feel called upon to respond to an explanation made by Mr.
Adhie M. Massardi in his capacity as presidential spokesperson
about the opinion of the general chairman of the Association of
Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI), as reported in Republika
on Jan. 4, 2001. Mr. Massardi said that President Abdurrahman
Wahid did not agree to generalizations when evaluating things, as
this was a model practiced by the New Order administration. "Not
all New Order or Golkar people are bad and not all non-New Order
people are good," Mr. Massardi quoted the President as saying.

The President's stance is good as it is a political education
for the community. People are taught to be critical and not just
to find scapegoats.

Unfortunately, words and deeds are worlds apart. In a number
of cases, it is the President who has shown his penchant for
scapegoating people. In the case of the Supreme Court chief
justice, for example, the President made use of the New Order
issue to reject Muladi and Bagir Manan, the two candidates who
had been elected constitutionally, fairly and transparently. In
this respect, the President failed to serve as a model for how to
implement statehood well and correctly.

In no way has Mr. Adi Sasono twisted the President's
statement, as Mr. Massardi alleged. Mr. Adi Sasono has simply
stated reality.

TATAT RACHMITA

First Secretary of ICMI

Jakarta