A message from Mega<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri's new Cabinet lineup was
\nunveiled the other day. Its program and composition are now being
\nscrutinized. The pros and cons are being discussed. But one thing
\nthat should not be missed is the manner in which Megawati
\nannounced it. In the way she made the announcement, Megawati sent
\na loud and clear message to the legislature and the general
\npublic: that she is very much in command, and no one but herself
\nmade the final decision on the composition of the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
True, she said something about "the assistance of the Vice
\nPresident", but one could say that it was mentioned out of
\nrespect and courtesy to Vice President Hamzah Haz.<\/p>\n
The message is timely. Much has been said, rumored or
\nspeculated about Megawati that at the end of the day no one
\nseemed very sure about her, even in the first few days after she
\nhad been elected as President. In the absence of further
\ninformation, and in the way Megawati shied away from the press,
\nit is understandable that the rumor mill was in full swing.<\/p>\n
For example, it was widely believed that Megawati was much
\ninfluenced by her husband Taufik Kiemas, who was often reported
\nto be her "main adviser". And since Taufik is a businessman with
\na wide range of friends, including some business magnates with
\nquestionable activities, speculation thrived that Megawati would
\ncertainly become "hostage" to those "problematic" magnates.<\/p>\n
Another widely believed speculation, mostly stirred by the
\nforeign media, is that the military had put considerable pressure
\non Megawati to include a large number of military men in the
\nCabinet. Some even speculated that Megawati, due to her lack of
\nexperience and perceived indebtedness to the military for her
\nascendancy to power, would be heavily influenced to the point
\nthat she would become a "military puppet".<\/p>\n
Now we know that some of the speculation has proved to be
\nunfounded. It is really a relief for us to know that Megawati is
\nin charge, and that her decision-making is sound. It is also
\nheartening to know that Megawati seems to understand that she has
\nan image problem, and that she intends to tackle it.<\/p>\n
One of the first indications that she is on the right track is
\nher decision, immediately after she was elected as President, to
\nwarn all members of her family (including her husband, siblings
\nand in-laws) not to be involved in corruption, collusion and
\nnepotism (KKN), which might jeopardize her presidency. She said
\nit would be all right if she lost her presidency for political
\nreasons, as long as she didn't lose it because of KKN.<\/p>\n
We believe it would be better if the first family, led by
\nhusband Taufik Kiemas, publicly announced its decision to
\ntemporarily halt its direct business activities during Megawati's
\npresidency. Experience has told us how power and greed corrupted
\nmany of our officials, including the first family. In short,
\nMegawati (and the first family) should set an example.<\/p>\n
Despite early optimism, it is fair to believe that President
\nMegawati's capability is still unproven. That she could be firm,
\nand that the final say is hers, is encouraging. But how strong is
\nshe under pressure? Could she be always composed and full of
\nconfidence for the rest of her presidential days?<\/p>\n
We still have a long and hard way to go. The challenges ahead
\nare huge. Public expectation is running high. And one should not
\nforget that President Megawati has a lot of "enemies", or
\npolitical rivals, who, while not openly opposed to her, are
\nwaiting in the wings, watching her every move and would strike if
\nshe displayed weakness or showed indications of failure.<\/p>\n
In other words, the public expects President Megawati to
\ndeliver. They have placed their trust in her. And trust is
\nsomething hard to earn in this country at this difficult time.
\nRemember that President Abdurrahman Wahid's downfall began when
\npeople started to distrust him.<\/p>\n
Hence, one should remember that the public trust in Megawati
\ncould be short-lived. And one should also remember that currently
\ntempers are running short in this country and that there are
\nmillions of impatient people out there, waiting and watching.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/a-message-from-mega-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}