Amien Rais as president?

In reply to Mrs. Hilda May's letter on Amien Rais, A'an Suryana cites the need for inspirational leadership and notes that President Abdurrahman Wahid seems incapable of delivering this (The Jakarta Post, April 12, 2001, Amien deserves to be president). But the traits Suryana identifies with Amien Rais (not corrupt, rational, decisive, persevering and tactical) also fail to add up to those that make someone an inspiring leader. Amien has reinforced an image many voters had of him in 1999 as an opportunistic politician, dogmatic Islamist and not devoted to the people. Though in 1998 he seemed to be passionate for reform, his passion now seems for the power of the presidency.

Or is Amien Rais's drive for more than just national leadership? Does Amien harbor a vision of himself as the unifying force of a modern worldwide Islamic movement, inheriting the combined roles of Mahathir, Qaddafi and others? In September 2000 Amien Rais cited Iran, Libya and Mahathir's Malaysia as examples of what Indonesia might achieve by defying the Unites States' public admonition to control the militias. With its strategic position and natural wealth, Indonesia might well achieve much by freeing itself from foreign (not just U.S.) corporate domination.

But aside from wondering what Amien meant by Iran's achievements, we wonder why he chose to identify Indonesia's potential strength with two such rabidly anti-Western, repressive nations, and one aging, increasingly intolerant leader.

And what rationale can he give for countenancing the moves of the avowedly violent and sectarian Laksar Jihad? Islam as heretofore lived in Indonesia, with tolerance for other religions and in peaceful coexistence with them, could indeed be a world model. Unfortunately, Amien's rhetoric does not portend that kind of leadership. Amien Rais is clever and ambitious. Indonesia needs a leader with finer qualities: a sense of public service, abiding convictions and honest ecumenism.

DONNA K. WOODWARD

Medan, North Sumatra