All eyes are now upon Megawati
All eyes are now upon Megawati
BANGKOK: Indonesia's battered and bruised path to democracy
hit a clear spot on Monday when the National Assembly acted
decisively, and bravely, to dismiss errant President Abdurrahman
Wahid. A few hours earlier, in a scrambling, desperate attempt to
avoid the inevitable, Abdurrahman had decided to abolish the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) and call for a new election. Apart
from a few ragged supporters -- who still have a propensity for
violence, however -- none heeded his words.
He was, in more ways than one, oblivious to the fact that he
had lost the legitimacy that had brought him to power 21 months
ago. It just seems incredible that he could not understand that
he had reached the end. It was obvious to everyone else that he
had lost the support of politicians, the military and the police.
Yet he still believed he had the power to break up the parliament
and stop his impeachment.
When he was elected president, he was proclaimed as one of the
fathers of Indonesia's new democracy. But he never fulfilled the
expectation that he would unite the country, resolve the economic
crisis and put an end to the outbreaks of violence around the
country.
Finally, he chose to take the country to the very edge of
anarchy by defying the wishes of the majority and encouraging his
many supporters to rise up. As the day of drama unfolded on
Monday, those supporters were still surrounding the Merdeka
Palace where Abdurrahman is holed up and threatening a bitter struggle
in the capital and the provinces.
For Indonesia's sake, Abdurrahman must come to his senses and
persuade his supporters that it is all over, that it is time to
depart peacefully. In this he should have learnt the lessons of
another former president, Joseph Estrada, that further turmoil
and calamity are not worth it. The Philippines' armed forces
supported democracy and refused to be manipulated by money and
cronyism. The same looks likely in Indonesia as its armed forces
seem to be a true stabilizing force at this crucial time.
As the drama plays out, Indonesia is entering a new era.
Megawati Soekarnoputri, cruelly denied the chance to lead the
nation 21 months ago because she is a woman, is now president.
Ironically, many of those who could not countenance her at the
beginning are now firmly behind her as she takes over from Abdurrahman.
But she inherits a country torn apart by political, ethnic and
religious strife. The economy is shattered and Indonesia's
territorial integrity is in question.
Megawati, who does not enjoy a reputation for being
intellectually or politically astute, must move quickly to
restore stability. Her choice of Cabinet in the days to come will
serve as an indicator of how she will tackle immediate issues. At
least she will have the assembly's support, although it's
initially worrying that she has not outlined any positive plans
to reduce ethnic and religious conflicts. With the eyes of the
world upon her on Monday, that would have been an ideal time to
iterate them.
Countries in the region, especially the democracies, must
assist Indonesia in every way they can. Although the change of
leadership has been rather unceremonial, it does not mean
Indonesia is any less significant in the eyes of the Association
of Southeast Asian Nations.
What is significant is that a parliament once noted for
supporting a tyrant and a dictator has shown the true value of
democracy. Indonesia's politicians still have many critics, and
their political maturity is a long way off. But Abdurrahman has stirred
the pot in a way that he could never have imagined, and if the
armed forces continue to grow more professional and Megawati is
able to achieve a few miracles, then maybe there's hope.
On Monday, many countries in the region, though stressing they
would not interfere in Indonesia's affairs, expressed the hope
for peace in the country. Realistically, it's a long way off, but
it's achievable.
-- The Nation/Asia News Network