The elusive masseur

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