Dorce Gamalama's Memories During The Sex Change Controversy: Gus Dur My Hero

JAKARTA - Having a career in the entertainment industry for more than 20 years, Dorce Gamalama experienced a number of interesting events. One of them was when President Gus Dur died.

This story is written in a book by Hairus Salim HS entitled "Gus Dur Sang Cosmopolit". In the introduction, the moment when Dorce Gamalama mourned Gus Dur, who died.

Through his personal account, Hairus Salim recounted the incident. At that time, Dorce Gamalama was sad because he did not receive a job offer or a gig.

"He said he was very sad and angry. God is so cruel, he said. During the last week he was hit by a deep sense of defeat," wrote Hairus Salim.

The atmosphere changed when Dorce heard the news of KH Abdurrahman Wahid or Gus Dur. He also mourned and took Gus Dur to his final resting place.

"Try if I get a job, I will be confused and in a dilemma. If I go to mourn and leave the agreed performance appointment, I will be legally sued, have to pay compensation and damage my reputation. and escorted Gus Dur to the funeral," Dorce was quoted as saying by Hairus Salim.

Dorce and Gus Dur have a good relationship, especially in the midst of controversy, many are against his decision as a woman. Gus Dur was one of the people who defended him publicly.

"He also defended me in choosing whether I would be a girl or a boy at that time," said Dorce.

Dorce Gamalama has a number of memories with Gus Dur, among them when he called Dorce with Mbak and poured rice on his plate. Gus Dur also gave Dorce a lot of advice about life.

"Gus Dur my hero," said Dorce Gamalama first.

After undergoing surgery and changing himself into a woman. This decision sparked controversy, including among scholars.

“But only Gus Dur at that time defended Dorce. That's what makes him always remember and remember Gus Dur. Thus, that day, said Dorce, he and some of his crew rented a plane and left for Surabaya to pay their respects to Jombang," wrote Hairus Salim.