A woman as president draws mixed views from public
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)
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)