Self confidence needed

Self confidence needed

From Republika

We are happy with Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's article in Kompas of Dec. 18, 2000 as we can read and analyze the president's way of thinking affecting his actions so far. The article describes Gus Dur's sluggishness and superficial approach in facing this nation's big problems.

Therefore it's natural if many state decisions are inappropriate for handling various important problems, while other problems keep arising. All these require an enormous stamina and the ability to deal with consistent high pressure particularly during this hard time.

In our opinion, all these problems spring from a cult of the individual which doesn't educate the nation to develop self- confidence regarding its capability, and as such makes people rely on others. This all results in quite heavy problems which seem to beset this nation unceasingly.

In this political chaos our enemy is ourselves. Why ? We must be able to forgive the past as a historical process of the Old Order and New Order for the sake of national reconciliation. If this is not mastered by Gus Dur. How will it ever be?

RA BERAR FATHIA

Bandung