A lady president

I would like to comment on the opinion of Mr. Cornelis Lay in Megawati's silence has political purposes which appeared in The Jakarta Post on July 14. First of all, I would like to say that I appreciate what Mr. Lay said and I also respect him as a well- known political scientist with a good reputation.

But there was an argument from Mr. Lay that, in my opinion, is difficult to accept with common sense. Mr. Lay said if Megawati starts expressing her views, there would still be no guarantee it would solve the problem. How do you know that if you don't try? Politics is not just a sum of legal or moral mechanisms. It also consists of the art of possibility and bargaining. So just because Megawati won the elections doesn't mean she has to keep silent. People need her assurance on many things on the reform agenda, such as the amendment of the 1945 Constitution, a trial for Soeharto, how to solve the crisis, how to solve the possibility of disintegration, etc.

The other thing which cannot be accepted was the argument that there was no need for Megawati to express what was on her mind because there were many advisors and aides that have already made statements. It was also said it was not Megawati's will to become president but her party's will, so there was no need for her to speak her mind. If we follow this framework of thinking carefully, then we can find that it is not logical.

If a leader or a candidate leader is nominated by his/her party, does it mean that she/he does not have any opinion or personal vision? Does it mean she/he doesn't have any personality? Let me give you an example. If Al Gore is nominated by the Democratic Party in the next election, does it mean that he doesn't have to say anything?

In my opinion, we are in the process of building a democratic and civilized society. If we would like to achieve that, we have to educate people by giving arguments which will enlighten the public. We cannot argue by giving an emotional argument just because we support a certain candidate.

Finally, I would like to stress that I am not against certain candidates. If the people have chosen a person, we will have to honor that choice. Now is the best time for Megawati to speak up, to show her leadership and assure the people -- supporters and others -- that she is capable to lead the nation towards a "New Indonesia".

VITTO R. TAHAR

Jakarta