President's brother suggests change in style

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)