For consideration of the MPR/DPR

For consideration of the MPR/DPR

I hereby wish to put forward some observations which may be
used by members of the People's Consultative Assembly/House of
People's Representatives (MPR/DPR):

1. In the run up to the election of the new president of the
Republic of Indonesia, I have noticed that there are two opposite
camps of more or less equal size, namely the supporters of
President Habibie and those of Ms. Megawati, who may well not
only quarrel with each other but also kill each other.

2. If Habibie wins the presidential race and is reelected
president, Megawati's supporters will be disappointed and, to
vent their anger, they may resort to rioting. The same is true of
Habibie's supporters.

3. There is, however, another camp, which may not be prominent
but may be very effective. This consists of the supporters of
Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), or the "axis force", which appears
with its "slow but sure" motto credible and without any burdens.
Figures supporting this camp include Amien Rais and Yusril Ihza
Mahendra. They are known to be highly dedicated to the nation and
the state, and all are reform-minded.

If Gus Dur is elected as Indonesia's new president, there will
not be any rioting and uncertainty after the election because the
Habbibie and Megawati camps will neither win nor lose. If Gus Dur
is elected president, it is only proper that Megawati becomes his
vice president, because their relationship is so close that power
sharing may be easily arranged by them when establishing a new
Cabinet to run the administration. In addition, Muslims will no
longer disagree about whether a woman may lead a country or not.
We know that Gus Dur is not physically healthy, but we should
respect his mind which is spiritually highly valuable.

I hope that this aspiration will be considered in a clear,
wise and sincere manner regardless of ethnicity, religion, racial
origin and social grouping, and, as set forth in one of the five
principles of Pancasila, by putting the interests of the nation
and the state over those of ones group. I would also like to
remind the people's representatives at the MPR/DPR that the
intactness of the nation depends on them. Therefore, they have to
exercise the mandate they are shouldering with a full sense of
responsibility, and consider it as a form of religious service.

MOHAMMAD IRWAN

Depok, West Java