Lawmaker apologizes over his remark on Gus Dur

Jakarta, NU Online
Democratic Party lawmaker Sutan Bhatoegana on Thursday finally succumbed to public criticism and made an apology for his ill-advised comment on former president KH Abdurrahman “Gus Dur” Wahid, who was also the former chairman of the country’s largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU).<>

“If anyone was offended I’ll immediately withdraw my words and apologize. Hopefully my apology will eliminate any tensions between NU and the Democratic Party,” said Sutan during a visit to Gus Dur’s family residence in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.

As reported by The Jakarta Post, prior to the visit, Sutan said that he had to discuss the best way to deliver the apology, without creating any misinterpretation, with his party members.

In a recent talk show, Sutan said that Gus Dur was impeached because he was implicated in a number of corruption scandals including “Bruneigate” and “Buloggate”.

Buloggate scandal, which centered around the misuse of Rp 35 billion (US$3 million) from the State Logistics Agency’s (BULOG) employee welfare fund, allegedly withdrawn by a masseur and business associate of Gus Dur. In Bruneigate, Gus Dur was accused of accepting cash from the Brunei sultanate.

Gus Dur’s daughter, Yenny Wahid, who accepted Sutan’s apology on behalf of her family and the NU, called on supporters of her father to end the animosity between them and Sutan.

Gus Dur’s wife Sinta Nuriyah Wahid said that the latest incident should be a lesson to all. She said that politicians such as Sutan should be cautious in making statements that may provoke the public.

Editor : Sudarto Murtaufiq