A way out for Habibie

In The Jakarta Post on Oct. 6, Daniel Sparingga says in Lack of platform worries West that there should be a respectable exit for Habibie. I agree. Daniel gives as a reason for this statement the fact that the West likes Habibie for having liberal politics, allowing a free press and the referendum in East-Timor. But I believe there is another good, Indonesian reason to allow Habibie a graceful exit: we hate to make someone lose face.

The position of chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) is now vacant. Why shouldn't the People's Consultative Assembly nominate Habibie as DPA chairman? It could intrinsically be a very respectable post (of course, not the way Baramuli jumbled it up), but without any major influence on the political decision- making process.

It would still allow Habibie to show his face at high-level international meetings, something along the lines Soeharto had in mind when he made him his vice president. Habibie could be in camera view alongside Amien Rais, Akbar Tanjung and the next president and vice president. This would also give him the opportunity to teach again at some university from a position of respect instead of being ridiculed or chased away by his students. When the next president retires or is forced to make way for number five, he (or she?) might then take over Habibie's job as the head of the DPA, maybe even with Habibie still as vice chairman. In the end, we'd get a high council of retired presidents (and vice presidents?).

Habibie is still too young to withdraw entirely from public view. It would be a pity for the nation to discard such an exceptional IQ. Habibie hasn't been so bad as to not deserve an honorable way out.

IDRIS KYRWAY

Jakarta