Tricky job being a spokesman

Tricky job being a spokesman

One has to admit that the job of presidential spokesman is an
honorable one. And suddenly President Abdurrahman Wahid has four
spokesmen, each with his own speciality, led by former television
talk show presenter Wimar Witoelar. While I am ready to
congratulate them all if they feel happy with their new
assignments, I have, on the other hand, the impression that it is
a tricky job. The main reason is obviously because the President
likes to play tricks with many people and many issues.

For instance, with the strong anti-Israel mood now prevailing
in almost all layers of society, Abdurrahman has been adamant
that trade relations between Indonesia and Israel are not harmful
from the economic point of view. He also rejected the idea that
he should resign from his position in the Shimon Perez foundation
claiming it is not a religious but an international institution.

The President's interference in judicial affairs involving the
postponement of legal proceedings against three well-known
conglomerates, has given the impression of collusion and
malpratice.

President Abdurrahman Wahid, once believed to be the champion
of democracy, has now become as authoritarian as Soeharto during
the New Order era. A noted commentator (Sabam Siagian) has
detected different interpretations among the spokesmen in respect
of the same events.

Of course, it is their right as presidential spokesmen and
lawyers to defend the President's policies and personality at one
and the same time if that is included in their job descriptions.
It should be remembered that Abdurrahman Wahid has been
politically indicted by the House of Representatives (except by
his party loyalists) for a number of offenses against the
Constitution and suspicious dealings which have been dubbed the
various "-gates"?

The risks are that these presidential spokesmen will sooner or
later get involved themselves, against their will of course, in
the President's own shady dealings. Abdurrahman Wahid is not an
ordinary leader whose words and steps are easily explicable.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta