Being herself cost Megawati her presidency

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

With a sorrowful and troubled look in her eyes, Megawati Soekarnoputri pleaded for the lives of two Indonesian maids held hostage by militants in Iraq.

Wearing a white head-scarf, the image of the Indonesian president was aired over and over again by the Qatar-based Al- Jazeera television, and apparently contributed to the release of the two women, who arrived home safely just days afterwards.

Just like the hostages-takers, many Indonesians were also moved by the action of Megawati to save the two wong cilik (common people) and they almost changed their minds about voting her out from office at the upcoming election.

But a bitter outcome was awaiting Megawati as her apparent show of concern came a little too late.

"She should have done things like that from the time she took office three years ago. These kinds of actions would have let her stay in the Palace," one of her former supporters said.

The idea of putting her plea on tape did not come from Megawati's side; it was the fruit of discussions between the Indonesian foreign affairs ministry and the Qatar-based television.

At the time, Megawati had told her ministers to negotiate with the relevant parties in Iraq to bring the maids home; sources close to her said she was a bit upset as the two maids had gone to Iraq despite the travel advisory warning Indonesians to avoid the war-torn country.

The impression at the time was that she had failed to immediately grasp a golden opportunity just a month before the presidential election to save her political future.

It was never Megawati's style to consider the possible impacts of her actions on her image, her administration and her chances of retaining the presidency.

"I am the President, not you," was one of her favorite retorts to members of her inner circle if they tried to persuade her to do things to help boost her public image.