Resigning is not Indonesian concept of honor, Try says

JAKARTA (JP): Must an official who has committed a major error during the execution of his authority resign to protect his honor? Apparently not, according to Vice President Try Sutrisno.

"Resigning is not an element of the Indonesian culture," Try told executives of AMPI, a youth organization, during a meeting at his office on Monday.

"When an official commits a mistake, he should be given a chance to make amends by allowing him to finish his term, rather than forcing him to resign," Try said, as quoted by AMPI chairman Widjanarko Puspoyo.

The vice president was commenting on the resignation of Japanese prime minister Morihiro Hosokawa last week. This event rekindled questions on whether Indonesian officials should adopt a similar attitude in accounting for their actions.

Indonesians have a different concept of honor from the Japanese, who believe in resigning, even in ritual suicide, to show their responsibility, Try said. "Suicide is not only prohibited among Indonesians, it is also a major sin."

Hosokawa's resignation provided further incentive to politicians and students who have been demanding the heads of Sudomo, the chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council, because of his apparent involvement in the Rp 1.3 trillion ($620 million) loan scandal at Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo).

They all claim that Sudomo, a long-time close aide of President Soeharto, should resign to protect his honor and that of the council whose duty is to advise the head of state.

Sudomo has admitted writing a letter of reference to support businessman Eddy Tansil's efforts to secure $430 million in loans from Bapindo when he was coordinating minister of political affairs and security. There are now allegations that his involvement went beyond simply writing letters of reference.

Besides the pressure to oust Sudomo, there have also been calls for the resignation of J.B. Sumarlin, who was finance minister at the time of the loans were granted, and who is now chairman of the Supreme Audit Board.

Those who are demanding the resignations have dismissed the assertion that such an act would be "un-Indonesian." The critics point out various instances in which resignation was resorted to during the 49 years since independence, including by vice presidents Mohammad Hatta and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X. The first stepped down during his term of office, while the latter turned down an offer to run for a second term.

Foreign culture

Try insisted that resigning is an element of a foreign culture, the Antara news agency reported.

"Indonesians need not blindly adopt foreign cultures," he said, adding that the demand for Sudomo's resignation was unconstitutional.

"All the activities and terms of government officials should be executed according to the regulations," he explained.

"But if an official is proven guilty of violating the law, he will be punished accordingly," Try added.

Widjanarko said Try's statement about the tradition of resignation among the Japanese was in response to AMPI's questions on the current situation in Indonesia's bureaucracy.

"There is an increasing demand for our adopting the tradition, particularly in the wake of the Bapindo scandal," Widjanarko said.

The AMPI executives reported to Try about its general meeting, which will take place from June 28 to July 3 in Central Java.

The organization has asked Try to open the meeting, which will be attended by around 1,700 people. (lem/emb)