President needs a PR person<\/p>\n
The postelection period for Cabinet ministers and members of
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly and House of Representatives,
\nboth at the central and provincial levels, should be seen, and
\nmost importantly felt by those concerned, as a trial-and-error
\nperiod. They should show the nation that they have vision, listen
\nto people's aspirations, take the initiative and, of even greater
\nvalue, are trustworthy, unselfish and devoted to serving the
\ncommon interest rather than their personal and party interests.<\/p>\n
With the Cabinet reflecting almost all the forces on the
\nlegislative fronts plus the defense and security elements, there
\nis ample time and opportunity to feel satisfied and complacent.<\/p>\n
In reality, there is no time to fool around let alone
\ncelebrate the newly acquired facilities and power. The situation
\nis so serious and yet still confusing that even President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid seems hard pressed in selecting priorities.
\nAceh first or Clinton? But he knows for sure that the economy
\ndeserves his greatest attention. Otherwise, he would not have
\nunhesitatingly requested economic advice from Singapore's Lee
\nKuan Yew, and Japan's Prime Minister Obuchi for additional
\neconomic (read financial) aid package. President Wahid realizes
\nthat foreign investment is desperately needed by this country. He
\ntalked to the International Monetary Fund's people in Washington
\nwhile many had expected him to visit Aceh.<\/p>\n
It is essential for the head of state not to make a political
\nslip and take the wrong step. There are social, political as well
\nas religious groupings which despise his unorthodox, innovative,
\nliberal and uninhibited approach, including his proposal to open
\nup trade with Israel.<\/p>\n
It would be politically wise for him to declare after he
\nreturns home that he has abandoned the plan to establish trade
\nrelations with Israel to appease the extreme elements in
\nsociety. It has become clear that President Wahid also needs a
\npresidential spokesperson to do the necessary public relations
\nwork on his usually controversial and unpopular policies before
\nhis ministers take over the job in more technical terms. Why not
\ntake a lesson from the White House?<\/p>\n
Despite his sudden bursts of inspiration like traveling around
\nthe world, and disregarding his physical limitations, his modest
\nstyle of living and not being afraid of living in \"poverty\" with
\nhis family should serve as an example to every minister,
\nlegislator, government official and the general public, something
\nthat seemed \"taboo\" in the past.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/president-needs-a-pr-person-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }