A woman as president draws mixed views from public

JAKARTA (JP): While the country's top politicians are debating over whether a woman, or more precisely Megawati Soekarnoputri, should be allowed to become president, few have bothered to ask ordinary people how they feel about the subject.

The Jakarta Post asked people in Greater Jakarta about their views, and heard many different opinions on the issue:

Riza Anggraini Zamril, 26, master's degree student in international relations at the University of Indonesia:

A woman can be president. But in Megawati's case, I have doubts about her capability. I wouldn't choose Megawati for president simply because of her gender. It's not that simple.

Abigail Almi, 18, a recent graduate of SMU 82 senior high school: Men and women have equal rights. Anyone with leadership qualities can be president. A president must be bright, well educated, charismatic, God-fearing, religious and behave accordingly. Megawati for president? She's okay.

Iskandar D, 58, street artist:

Gender is not an issue. A president must maintain national security, promote public welfare, provide education, have good relations with other countries, appreciate art, and be good at everything. A president must have authority and be able to lead the nation. Since Megawati's party has won the elections, she should be given the chance to lead.

Sutarjo, 58, retired:

Why not? Some countries in Asia have had women leaders, such as Benazir Bhutto, Indira Gandhi, Corazon Aquino. A woman president will lift women's dignity in Indonesia and ensure equal opportunity for men and women.

Although she has not had any administrative experience, I believe Megawati can lead the country well if she is assisted by well-educated, capable and intelligent people.

Sunari, 25, driver:

I am for a woman president as long as she has the necessary ability, including intellectual and managerial capacity. Personally, I prefer a woman president, because she will be more sensitive to people's needs and less likely to be selfish.

Megawati is a good public figure who can control the people.

Evensius, 30, government employee:

I have no objection to a woman becoming president. Some positions are best given to women. Some of the problems facing Indonesia could be resolved with a woman's touch because women are more sensitive.

People support Megawati for her clear conscience, honesty, courage and determination. Megawati has been oppressed for many years. Without courage, she would have left the scene years ago.

A woman president will bring healthy changes in society. She will lead society toward greater equal opportunity.

Hussein, 35, private sector employee:

I have no objection to a woman becoming president but Megawati's qualifications are questionable. I don't think she will be accepted and approved by all the people. Everyone has his or her place in the community. In a family, a wife cannot become the head of the family, unless her husband is unavailable.

Farez, 25, unemployed:

Although I have no objection, there is still a cultural barrier in Indonesia preventing a woman from being elected to the post. Pakistan and the Philippines have shown the way for women presidents. Indonesia can learn from them and start accepting that women have potential to lead the country. Women are certainly more meticulous than men.

Ilham, 31, programmer for ICMI:

A woman can be elected president as long as she can carry out the demands of the people. Gender is not an issue. Every one has weaknesses and strengths. Men may be physically stronger but wisdom and vision are more important. Women tend to be more emotional than men and sometimes act on impulse. This is the risk of electing a woman president.

One important criteria in selecting a presidential candidate is that he or she must be well-educated, thoughtful and mature in making decisions. That means the candidate should at least have a university degree. But a woman who has shown to possess excellent managerial skills will be good enough.

Hani, 36, housewife:

A woman has the right to become president. Since we are in the process of rebuilding the nation, why not try a woman president? If she fails, we could always replace her.

Some religious leaders may disapprove of it, but our constitution does not ban a woman from becoming president. This is not an Islamic state.

Johannes Chan, 45, cellular phone retailer:

Everyone, man and woman, has equal rights. Women have strong points, natural traits, in directing and leading people. They are more honest and sincere. Men have a tendency to abuse power.

Megawati is a suitable candidate because she's clean, free from corruption and amiable.

Titi, 31, employee of a private company:

I don't think a woman should become president in this country. A woman tends to be controlled by her feelings and emotions and this would make it difficult for her to lead a government.

Our country is in a very difficult phase and it needs an independent and strong leader.

A woman president will need a strong team to help her, to control her emotions, and to ensure her objectivity. She should not become someone's puppet. I don't think women are necessarily more honest, or less corrupt, than men.

Anta, 26, employee of a private company:

As long as there are men who are more capable, then why give the presidency to a woman? Islam clearly states that a man is an imam (leader) and a woman is a mukmin (follower)

Megawati is too quiet to become a president. A candidate should address the nation, explain his or her vision.

I wouldn't say that a woman is more honest than a man. I have dealt with government officials, both men and women, and they're all corrupt when it comes to money.

Adis, 25, nurse:

I don't agree with a woman becoming president because it's against my religion. Women are basically homely, while a president has to travel to places to make sure the government is running well. There are limits to what a woman can do.

A woman can still become a regent, a governor or vice president. But not president.

Given the difficulty Indonesia is in, we need someone who can lead us out of the crisis, someone with a clear vision and mission. Perhaps someday we will have a woman president.

Samudra, 25, photographer:

What is the problem? The main issue is one's capability. We need someone who can lead the nation out of the present crisis.

It's time that we make some changes.

Rifki, 26, architect:

A man or woman is not a problem. The candidate must have capability, wisdom and good leadership. He or she doesn't have to be intelligent or smart. Having said that, I don't think Mega has the qualities. I would rather choose Wardah Hafidz.

Inge, 28, foreign aid agency officer:

I feel that it is better to have a male president. I'm not being sexist, I just follow my religion's teachings.

The ideal candidate must possess leadership and vision and an ability to talk to the people, and not let others do the talking for her or him. We need someone who is more than just a symbol. We still have to wait for several years before a woman can become president.

Santi, 29, government worker:

Given the situation of this country, I don't agree to having a woman president. A woman relies too much on her emotions.

Our country faces a complex problem, it needs a person who is calm, stable but quick with decisions. Maybe it's okay to put a woman as vice president, chief justice or other position, but the chief executive job is too risky to be given to a woman.

Yayuk, 52, housewife:

I am for a woman as president. A woman is more spirited and careful. She has maternal instincts and that means she will protect her country like her own child. But she will need a solid team to support her.

Buntoro, 27, teacher:

Why not? We have been claiming emancipation for years but why are we still restricting women? The main requirements for a candidate are capability and vision. I don't think there's a correlation between the situation of this country with having a woman as president.

Iman, 38, taxi driver:

A woman president would only make things worse for this country. If you recall the election campaign, her party's supporters made a lot of mess. Some were brutal and destructive, and I was one of their victims. If she couldn't organize her own supporters, how is she going to organize an entire country?. (01/02/03/04/05/06)