President's brother suggests change in style

JAKARTA (JP): A younger brother of President Abdurrahman Wahid asked the President on Tuesday to alter his leadership style and carefully deliver statements relating to critical issues.

Salahuddin Wahid said that the President should develop a softer character when dealing with certain parties and "make friends" with Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais, instead of widening the division between them.

"The President should change his style in leading the country. He should communicate instead of igniting disputes between everybody," Salahuddin said.

He said that Abdurrahman should "carefully pick" his words before making statements in front of the public, and realize that sometimes his choice of words create more problems.

"For example, he said this week that many things had created public furor. That is improper. He should be more careful when making statements, as they will create more dilemmas," he said.

Salahuddin cited Abdurrahman's statement during a post-Idul Fitri gathering with the Indonesian Ulemas Council (MUI) on Monday night, where he said that many ulemas have been looking for official positions.

"The way I see it, he has made the gathering pointless because he has delivered harsh criticism at an improper time, and his speech managed to push people to the edge.

"The gathering turned out to achieve less than expected," he said.

He further said that Abdurrahman should restore his relationship with Amien Rais and other Central Axis figures, such as the United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz, in the future.

"I do not think he has a problem with Akbar Tandjung (The House of Representative Speaker). But, Gus Dur (Abdurrahman's popular title) should mend his relationship with pak Amien Rais and Hamzah Haz," he said, while adding that Akbar was a less emotional man.

Salahuddin also called on all political elites to sit down together and be honest in pointing out major differences among themselves so that they could start concentrating on the nation.

"So far, they only care about their own interests. They should try to openly discuss their differences so that they will not publicly exchange harsh comments against each other any more," he said.

"Probably, they should conduct routine meetings, because we (the people) cannot remain in this stagnant position any more.

"The country needs improvement and they should stop (arguing)," he added. (dja)