Megawati's absence<\/p>\n
For some time now many have hoped that President Abdurrahman
\n\"Gus Dur\" Wahid would be persuaded by members of the Supreme
\nAdvisory Council (DPA) and other intellectuals and influential
\nfigures in society to hand over power, temporarily, to Vice
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri, as a way out to the national
\npolitical crisis. Officially, Gus Dur would be a figure head on
\nsick leave. Megawati would be the actual power holder. The
\nPresident actually has signed a decree to that effect but he
\nseems to have forgotten it or he simply ignores his obligation as
\nusual when he is faced with many problems.<\/p>\n
As we know, Nurmahmudi, minister of forestry, was dismissed
\nrecently by the President without warning. The reasons given by
\nthe head of state was that he could not agree with the
\npresidential policy on forestry matters and that he had failed to
\nexercise control over his own party, the Justice Party, which
\nvoted against Abdurrahman Wahid when a censure was tabled in the
\nHouse of Representatives some time ago.<\/p>\n
Whatever the reasons for Nurmahmudi's dismissal the President
\nhas the prerogative to appoint or discharge a Cabinet minister,
\nso nobody protests openly against his decision.<\/p>\n
However, many were more surprised to see the conspicuous
\nabsence of Vice President Megawati during the installation
\nceremony of the new minister. It has become customary that
\nceremonies pertaining to the installation of new ministers, even
\nofficials serving with the military are conducted by Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri mainly due to the physical constraint of the
\npresident.<\/p>\n
Megawati's absence is seen as her disagreement with the
\nappointment of Marzuki Usman who many regard as still closely
\nassociated with the New Order era. The most remarkable thing of
\nthe affair has been that no explanation has been given by
\nMegawati or by anybody else inside or outside her circle. It has
\nbeen accepted as the most natural thing in democracy, firing
\nministers without reasons.<\/p>\n
Some may interpret her absence as a maneuver of distancing
\nherself from the Abdurrahman Wahid Cabinet while preparing for
\ntaking a more active role by herself. It is known that Megawati
\nhas preferred to see a reshuffle of the entire Cabinet with new
\nfaces who are more dedicated to the reformation cause of a clean
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawatis-absence-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }