Leadership change proceeds smoothly<\/p>\n
It is too bad that events in Jakarta have overshadowed the
\nmeeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Hanoi. It should be
\nremembered by everyone that the last Indonesian government was
\noverthrown in months of destructive and murderous violence that
\nincluded the burning of parts of the capital and the flight of
\nmuch of the middle class. Democracy has proved again it provides
\na peaceful way to change regimes.<\/p>\n
Mr. Wahid's departure solves one set of problems. The
\nsometimes eccentric Muslim teacher failed to establish a
\nconfident leadership in his country. His long absences overseas
\ngave the impression that he did not care to face harsh problems
\nor, worse, that he did not care about them. He refused to play
\nhis part in the barely budding democratic process, imperiously
\nignoring parliament's requests and demands that he account for
\nhis actions.<\/p>\n
But seeing Mr. Wahid off the stage leaves Indonesia and Mrs.
\nMegawati with huge challenges, including several that she carries
\ninto the presidency. Unfortunately, she will have to face
\nskeptics of the old school who believe a woman should not run a
\ncountry. There also are those who compare her to her father
\nSukarno, a firebrand nationalist, and find her wanting. Mrs.
\nMegawati should ignore both these groups so far as she can, and
\nmove into the job with her own style and competence.<\/p>\n
More seriously, Mrs. Megawati will have to continue to deal
\nwith the political leadership which back-stabbed her just 21
\nmonths ago. The speaker of parliament, Amien Rais, is prominent
\namong those Indonesian leaders with their own agenda. It must be
\nhoped they will resist the temptation to try to use and
\nmanipulate the president.<\/p>\n
Indonesia needs a strong leader with a vision. Mrs. Megawati
\nis extremely popular, and she can build on grassroots support.
\nShe has to hold together a fractious nation, while trying to dig
\nit out of a recession which has impoverished vast parts of the
\ncountry for four years. It won't be an easy task. Mrs. Megawati
\ndeserves the help of all Indonesians.<\/p>\n
-- The Bangkok Post<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/leadership-change-proceeds-smoothly-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }