KSP Moeldoko: Gus Dur Is The Father Of Democracy, The Father Of Peace And Tolerance

Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko visits Gusdur's grave (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - The Presidential Chief of Staff, General TNI (Ret.) Moeldoko, took the time to visit the grave of President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), at the Tebuireng Islamic Boarding School, on the sidelines of his working visit in Jombang, East Java, Friday, September 17.

Gus Dur is the fourth president of Indonesia to replace BJ Habibie. Gus Dur served from October 20, 1999 to July 23, 2001.

"Gus Dur is the father of democracy, the father of peace and tolerance. We should imitate and continue his struggle," said Moeldoko after the pilgrimage, according to a press release from the Presidential Staff Office received in Jakarta, reported by Antara, Friday, September 17.

Moeldoko said that amid the current threat of intolerance, the nation's leaders should take lessons from what was instilled by their predecessors, one of whom was Gus Dur.

"We have seen how Gus Dur used to uphold peace and be able to unite diversity. That spirit must be maintained, not to be damaged by the emergence of new ideas," he said.

Besides visiting Gus Dur's grave, Moeldoko also reminisced about his high school days by visiting his school, SMAN 2 Jombang.

On that occasion, apart from meeting with teachers and classmates, he also gave motivation to students. He also appreciated the school, which has carried out face-to-face learning with strict health protocols.

"I hope the program will continue to be carried out in face-to-face learning. Don't let COVID-19 rise again, later you will continue to study from home, and become the gadget generation," he said.

At the end of his working visit, he also directly monitored the implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine, at the Moeldoko Center multi-purpose building. He advised the public not to forget to carry out the second dose of vaccine when they received the first dose.