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GUS DUR A Paragon of Pluralism and Democracy Photo courtesy of: www.vivanews.com
A week after his death, the Virginia, US-based First Freedom Center, a reputable institute that promotes understanding among different faiths, conferred Gus Dur with the First Freedom Award 2010. Gus Dur was cited for his services in advocating tolerance, pluralism and the protection of minority groups and for his campaigns against extremism.
JAKARTA (TPP) – “Former president Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, passed away at Cipto Mangungkusumo Hospital at 18.40 local time on Wednesday, December 30, 2009,” his personal secretary Sulaeman announced on that fateful day. He is survived by his wife Sinta Nuriyah and their four daughters. The government immediately declared a week of national mourning on the demise of the former president. “I call on the entire Indonesian nation to hoist the Red and White flag half-mast for a week starting tomorrow (Thursday) to mourn over the demise of the country`s fourth president KH Abdurrahman Wahid,” President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said during a brief press conference later in the evening. “I urge Indonesians nationwide to pay him our highest respects,” he said in a nationally televised address. “I say this with prayers and hope that he is accepted at the side of God for his enormous service to the public, the nation and our beloved state.” Earlier, the President had been at Gus Dur’s bedside during the last moments of the latter’s life at the hospital. Across the country, prayers and vigils were held to mark Wahid’s death. His private residence in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, was filled with dignitaries and public figures wanting to pay their final respects. Although access to the residence was limited, hundreds of people waited and prayed outside in the street. Catholics and inter-faith charity agencies held joint inter-faith prayers on behalf of Wahid at the Cathedral, Bogor, West Java. Mgr Michael Angkur, leader
of Catholics of Bogor City, told Antara the prayers were followed by other interfaith leaders such as H. Zaenal Abidin representing Muslims, Darwin Darwaman Protestants, Johan Freinky Buddhists, I Wayan Suastika Hindus and Thung Uh Tjong followers of Confucianism. The leader of the interfaith congregation community in Bogor, which has an institutionalized friendship and communication medium known as Basolia, said Wahid’s death is a great loss for the Basolia activists, “as he had set a lot of examples and inspirations for harmonious relations among religious believers.” The next day the mortal remains of Gus Dur was flown in a Hercules C130 plane on Thursday morning to Jombang, East Java, for burial in a family grave-
ulemas (scholars) and educators, Abdurrahman Wahid forged his name as an ardent proponent of religious tolerance and moderate politics. His commitment to those causes remained strong throughout his life, earning him recognition both at home and abroad. He was the eldest grandchild of Hasyim Asy’ari, founder of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), the country’s largest Islamic movement. Wahid joined the organization in the early 1980s as a member of its Religious Advisory Council. He gradually rose within the ranks and in 1984 he was elected as chairman of the NU, a position that he skillfully managed to keep, despite the disapproval of autocratic President Soeharto, for 15 years. Although he led a conserva-
yard. Accompanying the late Gus Dur in the plane were key members of his family. A second Hercules aircraft was also flown to carry other mourners. Not since the death of former President Soeharto has the demise of an Indonesian statesman drawn so much public and international attention. Although a scion of a respected East Java family of Islamic
tive religious organization, Wahid consistently maintained that faith was a personal matter. This drew criticism from Islamic circles but earned him the respect of non-Muslims across the country. When the Asian financial crisis began to hit in mid-1997 and gradually undermined Soeharto’s grip on the nation, Wahid allied himself with other prominent opposition figures, including Megawati Sukarnoputri and Amien Rais, who establish a re-
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Indonesia needs a lot of entrepreneurs because they can make a great contribution to the economy. Therefore, efforts should be made to overcome the barriers so that entrepreneurship can be fostered.
Gus Dur’s two years as the fourth president of Indonesia were often tumultuous and confusing, but he held firmly to his principles. He was above all a voice of moderation at a timely
The nation will greatly miss one of its most distinguished citizens. Gus Dur walked among both the elite and the common person on the street. During his presidency, he opened the State Palace to people from all walks of life, and even when he was at the pinnacle of his power, he remained humble and down to earth.
THE ECONOMY
Rising political temperature has taken its first toll on reforms: The Finance Minister last month announced the government would delay raising electricity prices indefinitely (it was previously planned in January 2010), citing lack of political support.
form movement. He later endorsed the establishment of the National Awakening Party (PKB) in 1998 to accommodate NU’s political aspirations. In February 1999, the PKB nominated him as its presidential candidate and by that October he had deftly maneuvered himself to be elected as the country’s fourth president by the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR). Remarkably, throughout the process he was almost totally blind and needed assistance to move around.
Under the FTA, China and the six founding ASEAN countries - Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia - and Brunei must cut tariffs on 90% of imported goods across 7,000 product categories.
Designed and built by Nyoman Nuarta, one of Indonesia’s most celebrated sculptors, the planners envisioned visitors arriving by plane observing the colossal statue as a warm greeting to Bali.
period in the wake of the collapse of Soeharto’s New Order regime. As Indonesia’s society is complex and pluralistic, he played a critical role in a bridging Muslims and Christians, as well as followers of other faiths. Of course, the fact that he was the spiritual leader (1999-2001) of Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Muslim organization with 40 million members, made it easier for him to play a pivotal role in the nation’s political scheme of things. Gus Dur worked tirelessly over many decades to bring the traditionalists into the modern era, and his impeccable intellect, humor and cutting wit often disarmed critics. He was a champion of democracy and moderate Islam, and opened the way for today’s free and open society. Many acknowledged that what he had achieved was neither easy nor easily replicable. One of his important achievements was reforming NU and made it a staunch supporter of civil society. During the Soeharto era, Gus Dur never minced words and spoke out for what he believed was right and fair. He support-
ed the state ideology, Pancasila, to prevent radical elements in the Islamic community, as well as other religions, from assuming a place in society. Ethnic Chinese remembered him best as the person who supported minority groups and ended decades of discrimination against them. He declared Chinese New Year a national holiday and put an end to the ban on using Chinese characters in public. A towering figure on both the political and religious landscape, he held the stance that faith was a personal matter. He was also considered a champion of the interfaith dialogue, which allowed numerous religious groups to remain tolerant of each other. But his liberal ideas and sometimes erratic public statements often lead to controversy. His suggestion in 2000 that a 34year ban on Marxism-Leninism be lifted was met with strong opposition, as did his thought that Aceh be granted an East Timorstyle independence referendum. His conciliatory stance with Israel, with which Indonesia has no diplomatic relations, brought him the scorn of many Muslims. None of Gus Dur’s incomparable penchant for speaking out his mind was his open disdain for members of the House, whom he once likened to kindergarten children. The statement earned him their undying hostility and ultimately proved to be his undoing. They would eventually have the last word by rebuking him, allowing 2001 to impeach him in late July 2001. His desperate bid during those dark days to cling to power by declaring a state of emergency was ignored by his top ministers. The nation will greatly miss one of its most distinguished citizens. Gus Dur walked among both the elite and the common person on the street. During his presidency, he opened the State Palace to people from all walks of life, and even when he was at the pinnacle of his power, he remained humble and down to earth. A true patriot to the last, Gus Dur has earned his place among the great men and women this country has produced. His achievements will always be cherished and his memory will live on in the hearts of many. Wahid’s first moves as president included abolishing the Ministry of Information, which had long been Soeharto’s tool to control the media, and the noto-
riously corrupt Ministry of Welfare. Although he failed in his peace gambits in restive Aceh and Papua, he was credited with making the first approaches to settle the separatist conflicts through negotiation. One of Wahid’s last and highly reported public appearances was when he visited the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) office for more than an hour to declare his readiness to vouch for the innocence of two arrested (since then released) anti-graft officials. “I came to provide more support for their release from detention. I am prepared to put my name on the line in this case,” Gus Dur said after visiting the commission, known as the KPK. Gus Dur’s call for the release of suspended KPK deputy chiefs Bibid Samad Rianto and Chandra Hamzah came after several other national figures had also declared their belief that the arrests of the men were a mistake. The former president explained his visit was to show his support for the commission and urged all KPK personnel to keep working hard to eradicate corruption in Indonesia. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will put proposals to name Gus Dur through the mechanism required by the law, a presidential spokesman said. In accordance with provisions in Law No.20/2009 on the conferment of titles and decorations,” Julian said. Under the law, the proposals would be taken up and discussed by a state honors council which had yet to be formed. The council would be made up of representatives of three main elements of society, namely the academic world, the military and the public at large. A week after his death, the Virginia, US-based First Freedom Center, a reputable institute that promotes understanding among different faiths, conferred Gus Dur with the First Freedom Award 2010. Gus Dur was cited for his services in advocating tolerance, pluralism and the protection of minority groups and for his campaigns against extremism. The award was slated to be handed over to Gus Dur on January 14. Previous awardees are former US Secretary of State Madeline Albright, former British PM Tony Blair and former Czech President Vaclav Havel.