Megawati's new role<\/p>\n
With events unfolding in the ongoing Annual Session of the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR), millions of Indonesian
\nvoters will shortly see at least part of one of their wishes come
\ntrue: Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, whose Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) won the most votes
\nin the last general election, will assume responsibility for the
\nday-to-day management of the government.<\/p>\n
Thus, Megawati, who in last year's presidential election in
\nthe Assembly was outmaneuvered in political dealings by
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, founder of the minority National Awakening
\nParty (PKB), will at least get some of the rights she, in the
\neyes of her supporters, is entitled to.<\/p>\n
On Wednesday, in a move that some observers see as proof of
\nstatesmanship on the part of the President, and many others see
\nas a shrewd political maneuver to save whatever he can of his
\npowers as well as to avoid a bitter confrontation with the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the embattled Indonesian
\nPresident told the Assembly he had decided to assign the day-to-
\nday management of his administration to his Vice President.<\/p>\n
Under the arrangement he proposed, President Abdurrahman \"Gus
\nDur\" Wahid would continue to manage foreign affairs, while the
\nVice President would be in charge of carrying out the \"technical
\ndetails\" of running the administration, preparing the Cabinet's
\nworking agenda and determining the priorities and focus of the
\ngovernment. For this, the Vice President will be responsible not
\nto the Assembly, but to the President, and report to him
\n\"periodically or whenever it is necessary\".<\/p>\n
The President's announcement was greeted by wide applause from
\nthe floor. It remains consistent with the presidential system of
\ngovernment as enunciated by the Constitution while accommodating
\ndemands voiced in the Assembly for a separation of the functions
\nof head of state and head of government, considering the ailing
\nPresident's limitations. It also reflects the President's
\nwillingness to admit his personal shortcomings and act to correct
\nthem -- in other words to put the nation before his own personal
\ninterests. The financial market and the stock market also reacted
\npositively.<\/p>\n
On the face of it, Gus Dur's proposed delegation of tasks to
\nthe Vice President settles the debate in the MPR over the kind of
\nmeasures that should be taken to overcome the President's
\nineptitudes, whether real or presumed. There are, however, a
\nnumber of pitfalls that Megawati and her supporters in the
\nAssembly would do well to heed if the arrangement is to work,
\nboth for Megawati and for the nation.<\/p>\n
For one thing, if the Vice President is to take responsibility
\nfor the performance of Cabinet ministers, she must have a say in
\ntheir selection. Unless she is at least consulted about their
\nselection and her approval is sought, it is difficult to see how
\nthe Vice President can be held responsible for their performance,
\nor even how good coordination can be assured. For another, the
\nreach of her authority and responsibilities should be clearly
\ndelineated.<\/p>\n
As for those who doubt Megawati's ability to run the
\ngovernment, the only sensible advice we can give is to allow the
\nVice President a chance to prove herself. The President's
\ndecision to share his responsibilities with the Vice President is
\na good first step toward improving the government's performance.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawatis-new-role-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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