Often Debating Trivial Issues, Gus Dur Once Called Members Of The Indonesian Parliament Like Kindergarten Children

The fourth President of the Republic of Indonesia, Gus Dur, once made fun of members of the DPR RI like kindergarten children because they often argue about unimportant issues. (nu.or.id/The Jakarta Globe)

JAKARTA - The House of Representatives (DPR) has a big role in the running of a country. Its function is so vital. From legislators to government supervisors. However, the behavior of some of its members often invites criticism.

His actions as a member of the DPR do not reflect the people they represent. They are only loyal to their personal and party interests. Gus Dur was furious. He claims that a member of the DPR is like a Kindergarten (TK) child. It's hard to arrange.

On paper, the DPR is a sacred institution belonging to the Indonesian nation. Indonesia cannot function as a country without the DPR. The narrative attracted the interest of the National Justice Party (PKB) politician, Mahfud MD (now: Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs of Indonesia) to try out the opportunity to become a member of the DPR in 2013. Mahfud did not waste this opportunity.

He wants to try a new challenge in the DPR. He studied all kinds of materials related to the intricacies of the DPR institution. Who knows, his role as a member of the DPR can bring change to Indonesia. However, his candidacy as a candidate for people's representative reached the ears of PKB officials who was also former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Gus Dur and Amien Rais. (Wikimedia Commons)

The man who is familiarly called Gus Dur advised Mahfud not to become a member of the DPR. For the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) official, Mahfud is more suited to be in other fields, rather than the DPR. Love Mahfud's knowledge, thought Gus Dur.

Specially, Gus Dur recommended Mahfud to the Supreme Court (MA). However, Mahfud did not heed the suggestion. His desire to run as a member of the DPR was unanimous. Even Gus Dur did not want to force it. In fact, Mahfud's decision to become a member of the DPR was not quite right. Instead of enjoying, he fell into a puddle of regret.

“Imagine, a new trial is opened and the new leader gives an introduction, there have been shouts of interruptions. Interruptions which in the trial technique are only used to straighten out deviated conversations so that they return to the main issue being discussed, have turned out to be a tool for gossip."

“There have been no main issues discussed, they have been interrupted by various trivial things. In fact, even mentioning interrupts is a lot wrong. Some shouted 'instructions', some shouted 'instructions', still others shouted 'instructions'. In fact, some shouted 'interaction' without being clumsy. What's worse is that many interrupters have not been given permission to speak,” said Mahfud MD in Gus Dur's book: Islam, Politics, and Nationality (2010).

Gus Dur jokes

Gus Dur's intuition was no joke. His suggestion to Mahfud not to enter the DPR was purely an observation while observing the DPR institutions. Especially when he became the number one person in Indonesia. Members of the DPR are seen as having no quality.

Gus Dur's distaste for the DPR, which did not reflect the interests of the people, was getting worse. Gus Dur also joked that DPR members were nothing more than kindergarten children. The DPR is the TK. The actions of members of the DPR who often think about their own fate and that of their party have become the estuary. Not to mention that DPR members like to talk about unimportant things. Powerful. hard to manage too.

Gus Dur saw that many members of the DPR were merely sissies appearing on television. However, the matters discussed are often far from the problem. They only show poor quality as representatives of the people. Among other things with the origin of the sound to the origin of loud.

The pros and cons of Gus Dur's jokes spread. Between himself (the President) and members of the House of Representatives, there was considerable tension. Later, Gus Dur regretted equating DPR members with kindergarten children. Gus Dur repeated this statement.

Members of the DPR's PPP faction protest the chairperson of the meeting and overthrow the table during the plenary session at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, October 28 2014. (Antara/Ismar Patrizki)

He actually feels guilty because he has underestimated the kindergartners who are holy, intelligent, and creative. Gus Gur revealed that it is not appropriate for kindergarten children to be compared to members of the DPR – in Gus Dur's language – dirty and stupid. However, once members of the DPR are creative, their creative power is only for profit.

"Gus Dur's answer was beyond my expectations. He even spoke at length about children and the civilization of this nation. The civilization of a nation is largely determined by the extent to which attention to children is really prioritized. Children are a symbol of the hope of a nation.”

“Therefore, one of the programs that are currently being designed in the context of alleviating global poverty is to give serious attention to children. The United Nations through the Millennium Development Goals has a special attention on empowering children. In the Islamic treasures, children are creatures of God who are very initiated,” said Maman Imanulhaq Faqieh in the book Fatwa and Gus Dur's jokes (2010).