IN some sections of society, people say “watch your mouth.” This means not to say anything that comes to one’s head, let alone make accusations without proof. But there is also “open your mouth wide,” which means to speak out if one knows the answer to a problem.

Last Wednesday, in front of the religious teachers of the Nahdlatul Ulama at the State Palace, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned people to be careful when speaking out