Well said, Megawati<\/p>\n
Although it is still too early to determine public opinion,
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri's long-awaited policy address, delivered
\non Thursday at her party's headquarters in Jakarta, is certain to
\nassuage the fears of many of her critics concerning her
\nintentions, personal leanings and capability to serve as this
\nnation's leader.<\/p>\n
Breaking a silence that seemed like an eternity to many, the
\nchairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan) sought to dispel many critics' doubts that, if given
\nthe chance to lead the nation after the presidential elections in
\nNovember, she would, either through political orthodoxy or sheer
\nincapability, effectively stand in the way of progress and
\ndemocratic reform.<\/p>\n
She chose to remain silent, she said, to allow the cacophony
\nof complaints, opinions, political offensives and intrigues to
\nsettle -- a stratagem that she said enabled her to listen, sort
\nout the options available and decide on the most appropriate
\ncourse to take. And listen she apparently did.<\/p>\n
To her Muslim critics, Megawati gave the assurance that far
\nfrom neglecting the interests of the country's Muslim population,
\nwhich she acknowledged as being the overwhelming majority, a
\ngovernment under her leadership would act to enhance the quality
\nof services related to religious worship, for Muslims and
\nadherents of other faiths alike. As an example, she mentioned the
\nmalfeasance prevailing in the haj pilgrimage services, corrupt
\npractices which she pledged to bring to an end.<\/p>\n
The military's dual function, which has made it the country's
\nall-powerful force in politics as well as in security and
\ndefense, will be phased out, albeit gradually over a period of
\nfive to six years. It is in accordance with what is popularly
\nreferred to as the \"Ciganjur Accord\", signed earlier this year by
\nMegawati and three more of the country's most prominent leaders
\n-- Amien Rais, Abdurrahman Wahid and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of
\nYogyakarta.<\/p>\n
In a convincing sign of her sincerity in resisting any
\nmilitaristic inclinations in the future, Megawati called on the
\npresent transitional administration of President B.J. Habibie to
\nforestall debate in the House of Representatives on a government-
\nsponsored bill on national security, which she said would
\nthreaten the observance of human rights and civilian authority
\nover the military.<\/p>\n
The investigation of corruption, collusion and nepotism
\nallegedly committed by former president Soeharto would be pursued
\n\"though with justice\". Indeed, reestablishing the principle of
\nequal justice for all will be a priority of her government's
\nagenda, given that it is one of the preconditions on which the
\ngood functioning of practically every other aspect of life,
\npublic and private, depends.<\/p>\n
A similar readiness to accommodate popular demands can be seen
\nin Megawati's willingness to consider amending the 1945
\nConstitution, which many critics consider a document that
\nfacilitates authoritarian rule, although not its preamble, in
\nwhich the fundamental unifying state philosophy of Pancasila is
\ncontained.<\/p>\n
In brief, Megawati's speech, her first since her party's
\nconvincing victory in last June's general election, gives every
\nindication not only that our presidential candidate is able and
\nwilling to listen to different views, but that she has enough
\nstatesmanship to accept the truth when convinced by others.<\/p>\n
It is a comforting thought, considering that Megawati controls
\nthe fierce loyalty of millions of grassroots Indonesians. What
\nremains to be done is to ensure the support of allies in her
\nupcoming bid for the presidency. One signal that she may be ready
\nto take this step at this stage is her invitation to \"all reform-
\nminded parties\" to close ranks and work together to build a \"new
\nIndonesia\".<\/p>\n
As president, she would no longer be merely the leader of her
\nown party, but of all political parties and all Indonesians. In
\ngeneral, Megawati's first policy address is a positive
\ncontribution toward clearing up the cloud of concern and
\nuncertainty that hovered over the Indonesian political landscape
\nfor weeks. Well said, Ibu Mega.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/well-said-megawati-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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