Tearful protagonist?

Media Indonesia of Dec. 30, 1998, reported that Gus Dur held an open house for University of Indonesia students. There were three points of interest.

1. The students hailed Gus Dur as the Nation's Protagonist.

2. Gus Dur showed great concern for the little people's fate.

3. Gus Dur lost heart for a while when Achmad Tirtosudiro, Nurcholish Majid and Dawam Raharjo criticized him.

The first two points do not need any comment because they are sincere and objective evaluations by the people throughout Indonesia.

With regard to the third point, perhaps Gus Dur needs to read the writer's opinion as follows:

Groundless accusations by people like Achmad Tirtosudiro, Cak Nur and Dawam need not be heeded. Who knows, they only want to look for cheap popularity. Gus, please do not take it seriously. Just take it easy.

If Gus Dur responds to such accusations he will be dejected and often complaining. This could eventually lead the people to call him a Tearful Protagonist. Such a nickname would be deeply regretted. It is clear that the Nation's Protagonist cannot afford to be tearful.

Gus Dur should increase his contemplations and ask guidance from God, who had inspired him to voice the necessity of a national dialog, for example by repeatedly doing the sholat Istiharoh (prayer asking for Allah's guidance). May Gus Dur obtain additional mental strength in fighting for the ideas he believes in.

IFRAD SUKANTO

Jakarta