Wimar pledges not to be 'all out' defender of Gus Dur

JAKARTA (JP): Newly-appointed presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar vowed on Wednesday that he would not be an "all out" defender of President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Speaking at his first meeting with journalists at the Presidential Palace, Wimar said that he would only try "to bridge the gap" between the President and the media.

"I would even be willing to resign if (in the future) there are too many disagreements between me and the President," he said.

Wimar, a prominent talk show host, was named a presidential spokesman on Monday and will be leading a four-person team charged with media relations. The other three are Adhi M. Massardi, M. Yahya Staquf and the current presidential press secretary Dharmawan Ronodipuro.

Wimar had said earlier that as a spokesperson he would try "to be complementary to the President rather than acting as a substitute".

He said that he wanted to complement the President's statements "by providing perspectives, background and context".

Wimar also said that his team would not be "concentrating on routine statements for which there are existing officers" but would be "providing colorful commentary and paraphrasing".

On Tuesday, outspoken legislator Alvin Lie from the National Mandate Party questioned Abdurrahman's decision to name a spokesperson saying that the President was "quite capable of stating his own thoughts loud and clear".

"What Gus Dur needs is a man who will help him read and not a spokesman," Alvin said referring to the President's poor eyesight.

Another legislator, Ade Komarruddin of the Golkar Party, warned Abdurrahman that Wimar's appointment should not disrupt the relationship between the executive and the legislative bodies.

"Gus Dur cannot ask Wimar to replace him in a consultative meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR)," Ade said.

Political analyst J. Kristiadi of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) praised Abdurrahman's decision, however, saying that Wimar was the right person for the job.

"He's highly intellectual and has a good sense of humor, so I think he can easily understand Gus Dur's thoughts and statements," Kristiadi said. (byg/edt)