The elusive masseur

Apart from finding the best method for a breakthrough in the economic recovery, this nation has been urged by the head of state to find the whereabouts of the elusive masseur by the name of Suwondo who became a masseur-turned-presidential confidante.

At least, the National Police chief has been ordered by the President to catch the thief. The general public heard the news with amazement, if not bafflement, for Suwondo managed to run away with Rp 35 billion and is now in hiding. The police have not announced any price tag for those reporting Suwondo's hiding place otherwise many volunteers would have signed up for the mission.

Could a masseur be so trusted that the President was willing to order the State Logistics Board (Bulog) deputy chief (Sapuan) to lend Suwondo that much without any accompanying letter and without any receipt whatsoever? Surely, it could not have been for the first time that Suwondo had run an errand for his top client, the President.

After this tragic, comical episode involving a masseur -- with other presidents it might well involve masseuses, if you know what I mean -- many young men may opt for the profession of presidential masseur, barber or just shoe-shine boy. So far there has been no word of any replacement of the elusive on while the president absolutely needs somebody to keep his physical condition in top form in order that he can continue his far away travels. Foreign masseurs are too costly.

The story of the wizard masseur would not be complete until he is caught somewhere and he reveals his magic story formula. It is highly improbable though that Suwondo, known to be a frail man with beady, sly eyes and quick hands and strong fingers, has already fled the country and has settled down somewhere in Thailand, Malaysia or Hong Kong.

Now that the police have their own hands and heads full of student protests, the elusive masseur may feel safer to stay in his hiding place. For President Abdurrahman Wahid, he not only has to do without a masseur, but also must deal with another blotch on his reputation.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta