Inappropriate for Megawati

Wed, 14 Oct 1998, 00:00 WIB | Source: JP

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

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