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Abdurrahman Wahid, fourth President of Indonesia. Image by National Information and Communication Agency Republic of Indonesia –

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Abdurrahman Wahid

Abdurrahman Wahid popularly known as Gus Dur was an Indonesian politician and Islamic religious leader. He served as the 4th president of Indonesia, from 1999 until his removal from power in 2001.

He was born on 4^th August 1940 in Denanyar village, Jombang, East Java. He was the oldest of his five siblings and was born into a very prestigious family in the East Java Muslim community. His father KH. Wahid Hasyim was Indonesia’s first Minister of Religious Affairs. His mother, Hj. Sholehah, was the daughter of the founder of Pesantren Denanyar Jombang, KH Bisri Syamsuri.

He served in a crucial period in Indonesia’s political transformation. He helped restore freedom and democratic rights after 32 years of the Suharto dictatorship. He was responsible for several important reforms. These reforms helped the country’s path toward becoming a modern democracy. He was highly influential as a moderate Islamic leader and a strong advocate of ethnic and religious tolerance.

1. Wahid was Indonesia’s first democratically elected president

Abdurrahman Wahid, President of Indonesia. Image by Economic Forum –

He came to power in 1999 after the fall of military strongman Suharto 1998. However he took up the role to transition Indonesia to democracy. He also helped establish a national identity of tolerance.

Indonesia had not seen a president like him. He took up the presidency job and went against all traditional power centers. He brought back the country from the dark ages of the military in political life. He decentralized power to Indonesia’s far-flung provinces.

Even after being elected democratically, he was forced out in July 2001. This was due to an alliance of Muslims and the military. Apparently, Indonesia was not ready for democracy!

2. He was the first and as to date the only president of Indonesia to have had a physical disability

Emha Ainun Nadjib,   Abdurrahman Wahid and Suharto. Image by CakNunDotCom –

He proved that disability is not inability. He was visually impaired throughout his presidency. This did not render him incapable of running the country

He suffered from diabetes and had suffered two strokes. His eyesight began to deteriorate due to glaucoma since 1985. It was worsened by an accident where he was hit by a car which resulted to loss of a retina.

During his inauguration as president, he was helped by an army officer. This officer acted as an assistant by re-reading the text of presidential oath during his inauguration.

He was also alleged to have a sleeping disorder as he was sometimes caught sleeping during important cabinet meetings.

3. Most of his reform ideas were unsuccessful

Amien Rais and  K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid. Image by National Information and Communication Agency Republic of Indonesia –

The presidency is one of the most sought-after and prestigious jobs anywhere. For Wahid, his term of office more closely resembled the low point of his life. He had committed his life to public service but during his short term, he had it rough.

He was unable to end the fighting between Muslims and Christians on the Maluku Islands and in central Sulawesi, the civil war in Aceh, or the conflict in West Papua.

He dismissed the defense minister Wiranto. Wiranto was responsible for the atrocities associated with the independence referendum in East Timor in 1999. Wihad exposed the cooperation between Islamists and generals but was never able to reduce the influence of the military.

4. Wahid was accused of not being Islamic enough

Nurcholish Madjid, Abdurrahman Wahid, Emha Ainun Nadjib, and Yusril Ihza Mahendra Image by
CakNunDotCom –

Indonesia has the world’s most populous Muslim nation. It has a population of more than 200 million people. It is not radical rather it practices a more moderate style of Islam than is characteristic in the Middle East.

He served as the leader of the nation’s largest social group membership of more than 30 million people. He championed the rights of minorities, of non-Muslims, and particularly of the often-abused community of ethnic Chinese.

This did not prevent people from criticizing him for his principles of unity. He urged the critics to reread the Koran.  He claimed Islam is about inclusion, tolerance, and community.

5. He was full of kind gestures

President Abdurrahman Wahid and former Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen. Image by 
Helene C. Stikkel –

When he decided to become a presidential candidate, he broke a political partnership with Megawati Sukarnoputri. He eventually defeated her in the race.

However his first gesture after his election today was reconciling with her. He did not consider her an enemy. He took the hand of Ms. Megawati during his inauguration and continued holding it as he joined in the singing of the national anthem

When other Muslim leaders joined in the condemnation of the British author Salman Rushdie, Mr. Wahid stood alone in his defense. When others condemned Israel, he visited Jerusalem to accept a prize in honor of the assassinated leader Yitzhak Rabin.

6. Wahid loved arts and sports

Abdurrahman Wahid, the 4th president of Indonesia. Image by Govt. of Indonesia –

Since childhood, he loved reading often using his father’s personal library. He also actively visited the public library in Jakarta. He read a variety of magazines, newspapers, novels, and books in his teenage years.

He enjoyed soccer, chess, and music. He was once asked to become a football commentator on television. He greatly appreciated Beethoven and Mozart.

His other indulgence was watching movies. His passion led to a deep appreciation of the world of film. This led to his appointment as the chairman of the Indonesian Film Festival jury from 1986-1987.

7. He was entangled with corruption scandals

K.H. Abdul Wahid Hasyim and his wife Hj. Siti Solichah. Image by National Information and Communication Agency Republic of Indonesia –

An agency in the country reported US$4 million missing from its cash reserve. His masseur was accused of having stolen the money. He later claimed that Wahid sent him to Bulog to collect the cash.

The money was returned but opponents did not let it rest. They claimed he knew what the masseur was up to regardless of what he said. At the same time, Wahid was also accused of keeping US$2 million for himself. The money was a donation by the Sultan of Brunei to provide assistance in Aceh. He failed to account for the money.

These scandals contributed to impeachment. They were never proven and he was never tried on the charges.

8. Wahid was charged in Egypt with communist suspicions

K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid. Image by Ministry of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia –

He received a scholarship from the Ministry of Religious Affairs to study in Egypt. He became a journalist for the Association of Indonesian Students’ magazine.

He found employment with the Indonesian Embassy. A coup attempt was launched in the country. The Communist Party of Indonesia was accused of leading. A crackdown against suspected communists was initiated mostly towards the university students.. He was charged with writing the reports.

He was dissatisfied with the method of education and his work following the coup attempt. He sought and received another scholarship and moved to Iraq. He continued his involvement with the Association of Indonesian Students as well as with writing journalistic pieces to be read in Indonesia.

9. Wahid rejected the offer to join the NU twice

His grandfathers were among the founders of the world’s largest Islamic organization, Nahdatul Ulama (NU). This meant that sooner or later, he would be asked to play an active role in the organization.

This was not in line with his interest. He planned on becoming a public intellectual. The organization asked him twice but rejected offers. It took his grandfather personally asking him for him to accept.

In the organization, he had his first political experience. He was arrested severally during campaigns for the United Development Party (PPP). He was always able to secure his release, having developed connections in high places.

10. He was impeached only after a year in office

National Unity Cabinet reshuffle. Image by National Information and Communication Agency Republic of Indonesia –

In an off-record meeting, Wahid commented on the possibility of Indonesia descending into anarchy. He suggested that he may be forced to dissolve the DPR if that happened. This caused quite a stir and added to the fuel of the movement against him.

This plus his involvement in corruption scandals and nepotism gave his opposition enough ammunition. The last straw on a dying horse saw him moving against dissidents within his Cabinet. He continued to insist that he was the president.

He stayed for some days in the Presidential Palace but eventually left the residence on 25th July 2001 for a trip overseas to the United States for health treatments. He lost his battle with sickness in 2009.