Inappropriate for Megawati

I have been a The Jakarta Post reader since 1987 and always find the paper precise in choosing certain word(s) to illustrate someone or something. But to the best of my understanding, the phrase "the ousted leader" of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) you use to refer to Megawati Soekarnoputri is no longer appropriate.

I did agree with you to use it, to express our sympathy for her. But, since Soeharto's resignation and the downfall of New Order regime (claimed by many as the mastermind behind the ousting of Megawati), moreover after the conclusion of Bali Congress, we have to change our attitude. So it must be with the predicates such as "ousted, toppled, unrecognized" or the like.

I am not a PDI member, nor a supporter. But we have to see the reality that her popularity is growing bigger while her influence is getting stronger day by day. And thus, we should now call Megawati the "more established leader of PDI," or just "PDI leader" if we want.

JOHANES SARBINI

Semarang