An advise for Megawati

An advise for Megawati

From Koran Tempo

Looking at the political development at home, as a good citizen, I feel the need to advice Mbak Megawati in her capacity as both the chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and vice president of the Republic of Indonesia.

Mbak Mega, for 32 years Indonesia was under the rule of the New Order regime, and this regime held on to power through constitutional acts.

In this context, you should realize that the efforts being made to bring down President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid are similar to those made by Soeharto to seize power from Sukarno. At that time, incriminating charges were made to ensure Sukarno was impeached at a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

Soeharto used the Indonesian armed forces to establish his New Order regime, but today the political elite trying to unseat President Abdurrahman are using the party factions in the House of Representatives. These factions are most probably being manipulated by remnants of the New Order.

Mbak Mega, I advice you not to fall into the trap set by these New Order people. I am convinced that once you become president, they would immediately try to unseat you. Again, for constitutional reasons.

Mbak Mega, in my opinion, Gus Dur took the offer for the presidency because he wanted to groom you as the next president.

One thing you should bear in mind, Mbak Mega, is that the PDI Perjuangan congresses in Bali and Semarang decided that you should be president as you won the 1999 general election and not because the position has been left vacant by the unseating of the incumbent. These are two different situations. So, Mbak Mega, beware. The New Order people are everywhere in disguise and they certainly do not want you to be president.

AWANG AWARI

Serang, Banten