RI needs strong leader: Observers<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia must have a strong leader committed to
\ntotal reform if the nation is to be revived, political observers
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Salahuddin Wahid, President Abdurrahman \"Gus Dur\" Wahid's
\nyounger brother and a deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU),
\nsaid that with the increasing political tension a strong leader
\nwas needed to save the nation from disintegration and to bring it
\nout of its prolonged crises.<\/p>\n
\"We now need a strong leader with the support of the major
\npolitical parties to cope with lawlessness, all of the issues in
\nthe regions and political turbulence,\" he said during a seminar
\nheld here on Friday to discuss solutions to the political impasse
\nat the national leadership level.<\/p>\n
Salahuddin, who said he was not speaking for his brother or
\nNU, implied that Gus Dur's administration could not effectively
\ncontinue because of serious opposition from the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
He said the President, major political parties and the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly must consider the well-being of
\nthe nation if a special session of the Assembly is called to
\nconsider impeachment hearings against Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
\"The major parties and the Assembly must take into
\nconsideration the costs and benefits of replacing the nation's
\nleader,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hariman Siregar, an activist who was involved in the 1974
\nMalari student demonstrations, questioned Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri's ability to replace Gus Dur and lead the nation.
\nHe said the country needed a strong ruler, either a civilian or
\nfrom the military, to overcome the current political turbulence.<\/p>\n
He predicted that if Megawati assumed the presidency, she
\nwould have trouble dealing with the strong House and the powerful
\nremnants of the New Order regime.<\/p>\n
\"Frankly speaking, I'm not sure of Megawati's leadership
\nskills. I don't care who is elected to replace Gus Dur but he or
\nshe must have an iron hand to enforce the law, to fight against
\nrampant corruption and to carry out total reform in all areas,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
He said Indonesia required a decisive government capable of
\ntaking action to handle the country's many crises and to reform
\nthe state system.<\/p>\n
Din Syamsuddin, the deputy chairman of the Muhammadiyah Muslim
\norganization, said Indonesia needed a strong leader to cope with
\nthe increasing political tension and to lead the nation out of
\nits continuing crises. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-needs-strong-leader-observers-1447893297",
"image": ""
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