Siswono denies calling officials and public 'sick'

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Transmigration Siswono Yudohusodo denies having called Indonesian people and officials "sick" as widely reported in the media last week.

Siswono, after meeting with House Speaker Wahono, refused to comment yesterday when journalists asked him to clarify the remarks that sparked a national debate.

"You'd better ask the editors of those papers what they meant by that word (sick) because the word came from a journalist. I'd rather keep silent," Siswono said.

Siswono had met with Wahono to discuss a bill on transmigration.

Known as one of the few outspoken cabinet ministers, Siswono reportedly made the remarks when he was expressing his dismay over the recent incidents of mob violence.

The official news agency, Antara, quoted him as saying that the disturbances were symptoms of "sick" officials and a society characterized by reduced rationality and heightened emotions.

The Merdeka daily ran the story on its front page in a question and answer format.

Despite the denial, many observers continue to express their understanding of Siswono's remarks, saying that they, too, sense something wrong with the nation.

Deputy House Speaker John Ario Katili said that Siswono should bring his concerns to the President and ask for advice.

"He (Siswono) cannot just end it like that. Now everybody is asking what the illness is. It needs to be elaborated on as a doctor would do with a diagnosis," Katili said.

Katili, however, did not suggest that Siswono resign as a consequence of his statement. "Such a practice exists only in Western countries," he said.

Bureaucrats

Separately, the chairman of the United Development Party faction in the House, Hamzah Haz, said that Siswono might have been referring to arrogant bureaucrats and people who are easily provoked.

"Bureaucrats have offended the public, such as in the case of Eddy Tansil's escape," Hamzah said.

Tansil, who was convicted of defrauding state-owned Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo) of Rp 1.3 trillion (US$620 million), escaped from prison last May. He was sentenced to be behind bars until 2014. His whereabouts are not known yet.

Hamzah suggested a national drive to boost the morale of the country's officials. "Government officials should serve the public because they are paid by the public," he said.

Abdurrahman Wahid, chairman of the 30-million-strong Islamic organization Nahdlatul Ulama, joined the chorus, saying that Siswono was "singing an old song".

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, said that the condition could be seen in the rise of sectarianism.

Asked about what should be done, Gus Dur called on the nation to understand that the country does not belong to any one group or party. He urged the government to give political parties the freedom to develop naturally and without intervention.

He warned senior government officials, whom he alleged were behind the rioting and guilty of political maneuvering, to refrain from further interventions. (imn/amd)