The pot calling the kettle black?

The pot calling the kettle black?

From Kompas

On May 21, 1998, an event of historic significance to the entire Indonesian people occurred as there was a peaceful change in the national leadership. As a good citizen, I would like to call on various circles and groups not to have an a priori dislike for our new president, Baharuddin Jusuf Habibie. Give him a chance to do this country good.

It is true everyone is entitled to their opinion. However, if a person who did not dare say anything when still in office has now become outspoken and strongly vents his opinion, has this person really undergone a change or is he doing so only to save his skin?

Of so many comments aired on TV, one came from a former Sesdalopbang, a secretary in charge of the control over development operations. In his comment, he referred to President Habibie as Juragan Habibie. Juragan, meaning owner of an enterprise, has an unfavorable connotation. So now, Mr. Former Sesdalopbang, you should look at yourself first and find out who you really are. If those criticizing Habibie are people of the caliber of Amien Rais, Gen. (ret.) Nasution and Emil Salim, for example, then it is understandable why the criticism should be launched.

Even these people still give Habibie a chance, albeit within a designated period of time, to do good things in the interest of the nation. Let me stress that I am a nobody and have no particular interest in Habibie. I don't even know him personally. I am just an ordinary citizen trying to give a favorable evaluation of a person, whoever he or she is.

MRS. OKTO R. TOBING

Tangerang, West Java