'Wong cilik' is all wrong

'Wong cilik' is all wrong

I would like to draw your attention to an error in the article
titled Celebrities all doing their bit for democracy, which
appeared on page 3 of your May 20, 1999, edition.

Overall, the quotations attributed to me in that article are
accurate and well translated. However, in the second column,
fifth paragraph, I was inaccurately quoted as saying, "Some
parties give themselves labels such as ...wong cilik (little
people, a term used by the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle). These words depict divisions among people."

What I said was, "Some parties use labels such as 'separatist
movement' or 'security disturbing forces'. These words depict
divisions among people and motivate disintegration."

During the brief telephone interview in Indonesian, I did not
use the term wong cilik, nor did I make any direct or indirect
reference to any party other than PAN.

Apparently, an error was made in the transcription or a
misunderstanding or misinterpretation of what I said in
Indonesian occurred during the translation to English.

LEON AGUSTA

Karawaci, West Java