Sat, 22 Aug 1998

Appeal to Megawati, Gus Dur, Amien

As a layman in politics, I have been following media reports on your (Megawati Soekarnoputri, Abdurrahman Wahid, popularly known as Gus Dur, and Amien Rais) political activities. In my observation, what you have done is in line with popular aspirations, particularly those of the little people. In other words, your activities conform with the demand for total reform.

Unfortunately, I get the impression that there is rivalry among you three and that as a result, you each give priority to your personal interests over public interests. When Amien Rais set up the People's Mandate Council (MAR) for example, Gus Dur stayed away. And when Gus Dur established the People's Awakening Party (PKB), Amien Rais did not respond.

Millions of people support you three. Don't you realize something is amiss here? Antireformists must be trying to weaken your strength, and their weapon must be "divide and rule".

Now, Mbak Megawati. The Soerjadi-led Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) is laying a trap for the PDI under your leadership by planning a congress in Palu later this month. Isn't this some sort of provocation, one intended to provoke your followers into attacking the Palu congress? Soerjadi and his group are morally and materially supported by the Habibie administration. So, Mbak Megawati, do you care so much about these political clowns? There are many shameless political clowns in the pages of history. Isn't it much better for you, Mbak Megawati, to devote your attention to consolidating the party by strengthening the political consciousness of your cadres, reinforcing the party's branches and canvassing various social groups, such as farmers, fishermen, factory workers, university students and school teachers? In my opinion the pillars making a social force are these people just mentioned. Once they get a strong leader, they will be invincible.

So, please get your political, economic, social, cultural, educational and other programs across to the people.

Continue fighting.

BASUKI

Jakarta