Gus Dur seeks solace in music

While Parliament debated his fate yesterday, President Abdurrahman Wahid was taking a breather from politics by listening to classical music.

His secretary, Mr Abdul Mujib Manan, told the Antara national news agency that the Indonesian leader did not have any official meetings scheduled yesterday and spent his time listening to his favourite tunes.

And what might those be? Beethoven, said close friends of the President.

“He likes to listen to Beethoven whenever he is under stress,” said an activist who has known him for the last 20 years.

“He is probably listening to them even more now because he is hoping to draw some inspiration to see how he can survive this.”