Why nepotistic?<\/p>\n
Ms. Donna Woodward's letter printed in the Oct. 3 edition of
\nThe Jakarta Post once again allowed her to assume a position atop
\nher well-worn soap-box; this time to launch into a critique of
\nIlham Habibie's recent participation in an official trade mission
\nto Taiwan. Seemingly, Ms. Woodward's view is that because Ilham
\nis the son of President Habibie this is a prima facie case for a
\nreturn to the nepotistic and power-abusive practices of the past.<\/p>\n
While I have no desire to challenge Ms. Woodward's self-
\nappointed role as dispenser of \"instant analysis\" on all things
\nIndonesian, her most recent diatribe is both unfair and
\nunbalanced.<\/p>\n
President Habibie is an extremely well-educated engineer who,
\ntogether with his wife, a respected medical doctor, have
\ninstilled their children with an understanding of the value of a
\ngood education. Their son Ilham, who led the delegation to
\nTaiwan, is also a respected engineer who holds postgraduate
\ndegrees from foreign universities and is affiliated to the
\nnation's high-tech brain trust, IPTN, in Bandung.<\/p>\n
For Ms. Woodward's charge of nepotism in this instance to
\nstick, she must prove that Ilham Habibie is both unqualified for
\nhis role in the delegation and will somehow profit personally
\nfrom that participation. In fact, I would contend that a
\ndelegation going abroad in these difficult times to seek
\npartnerships in the area of high technology only benefits from
\nthe participation of someone of Mr. Ilham Habibie's background
\nand expertise. Moreover, his ability to speak with great
\nunderstanding of the various programs of IPTN, ranging from
\naeronautics to computer technologies to ship-building, could only
\nhelp contribute to the potential success of such a mission. Did
\nthe mission or the country somehow suffer by the added prestige
\nof this young man's lineage? Au contraire, Ms. Woodward.<\/p>\n
In the words of the illustrious Joe Friday, I say to Ms.
\nWoodward: \"Just the facts, ma'am.\"<\/p>\n
JOHN M. DANIELS<\/p>\n
Denpasar, Bali<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/why-nepotistic-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }