Debate and Megawati

I was rather surprised to read your editorial (April 30, 1999, A new political education) on the nation's first democratic political debate aired on TV recently.

Surprised, because you slip your usual high standards of objectivity and impartiality by rather severely criticizing Megawati for exercising her democratic right not to participate. You ascribed her popularity solely to the charisma enjoyed by her father over 35 years ago, when in fact, her own credibility and personal charisma have won the hearts of at least 70 percent of Indonesian women, who couldn't care less about who Megawati's father was. They are also not interested in watching male political debates filled with empty words which they know will never be translated into actions benefiting women and their families. Politicians always promise "the world" before elections, and nearly always fail to deliver afterward.

Megawati herself, no doubt, has considered these things, and in her wisdom, decided not to make empty vocal noises in order to score unneeded political points over male debating opponents. Based on many informal polls. She can count on at least 30 percent to 40 percent of the votes in the June election without uttering another sound. (With 70 percent of the female votes and only 30 percent of the male votes, she would still get 50 percent of the total).

It would be a fatal mistake for Indonesian males to assume that just because the females have largely remained silent (like Megawati) they will not turn out in full strength on election day to express their wishes.

NURHANI

Bogor, West Java