Jakarta's new leader<\/p>\n
The swearing in of Megawati Soekarnoputri as Indonesia's
\nfourth president in the last three fractious years brought an
\nabrupt but largely peaceful end to the ineffectual rule of
\nAbdurrahman Wahid. Mr. Wahid refused to vacate the presidential
\npalace, but his resistance appeared to be futile. With the
\nelevation on Monday of Vice President Megawati, Indonesians must
\nnow belatedly address daunting economic and social problems.<\/p>\n
Mr. Wahid was Indonesia's first democratically elected leader.
\nHe lasted less than two years, victim in large part of his
\nerratic leadership and inability to work with the national
\nlegislature. He dithered as the economy faltered, and he failed
\nto bring a dangerously unaccountable military under civilian
\ncontrol. The constitutional process by which the legislature
\nremoved him from office was legitimate, hastened by his failed
\nattempt to declare a state of emergency and appoint a new
\nnational police chief.<\/p>\n
Mrs. Megawati is the daughter of Indonesia's founding leader,
\nSukarno, and head of its largest political party. She inherits a
\nbewildering array of political and economic challenges, to which
\nshe brings limited experience. As vice president she surrounded
\nherself with respected economic advisers and tightened the state
\nbudget. She now needs to sit down with lenders and renegotiate
\nthe country's crippling debt. She must also move to fight
\ncorruption, build the rule of law and reduce the military's role
\nin business.<\/p>\n
She is closely identified with the armed forces and has
\nfavored strong military action against separatists in Aceh and
\nIrian Jaya. She was quick to defend the military for its brutal
\nconduct in East Timor. She should use her ties to the military to
\nassert civilian authority over the army and rationalize its
\ncommand structure, bringing local commanders under national
\ncontrol. She must recognize that negotiations rather than
\nrepression represent the only solution to Indonesia's separatist
\nconflicts.<\/p>\n
-- The New York Times<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/jakartas-new-leader-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }