Who is next?

Every time President Abdurrahman Wahid has gone on state visits to foreign countries, he made one or two of his Cabinet members shooting targets. Gus Dur criticized his ministers who were considered to be performing poorly in their duties.

Previously, Gen. Wiranto, coordinating minister for political affairs and security, fell victim. He had to resign from his job, although he was not fired as such, his status termed "nonactive".

The latest victims were Laksamana Sukardi, state minister of investment and state enterprises development, and Yusuf Kalla, minister of industry and trade.

As a layman I do not know what sins they committed. But according to the President, they were involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism. I think the fired ministers should be given a fair chance to defend themselves. It is true that the President was using his prerogative in dismissing the above two ministers? Both Laksamana Sukardi and Yusuf Kalla, however, have denied Gus Dur's allegations, leaving the public in a state of confusion.

Who will be the next target? Rumors said Gus Dur was forced to postpone his official visit to Australia due to several reasons. One of them is that he has yet to find a shooting target for his forthcoming visit.

DJON W. PRANOTO

Sukabumi, West Java