Indonesia lacks statesman, says political observer

Indonesia lacks statesman, says political observer

A'an Suryana and Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The stubborn resistance by party leaders holding public offices
to hang up one of their hats was a clear sign that too many of
the country's leaders were selfish and uninterested in the well-
being of the country as a whole, according to one academic.

Political observer from the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada
University (UGM) Riswandha Imawan said on Wednesday that judging
by their resistance to give up one of their posts, none of the
country's political leaders were truly statesmen.

"A statesman always considers how he or she can utilize their
position for the wider public interest, and a politician merely
pursues power for their own short-term interests," he said.

"In the dual position controversy, the country's political
leaders are yet to achieve statesman status," Riswandha told The
Jakarta Post.

Pressures have mounted for party leaders holding public
offices to quit one of their posts to avoid conflicts of
interest, but they have all refused to do so.

Political observers have pointed out at least two important
reasons why party leaders should avoid double positions. First is
that dual positions made it extremely difficult for the leaders
to spare their time for both party and public affairs, and also
because it offers an opportunity for political leaders to abuse
their powers in favor of party and personal interests.

Party leaders holding public offices include President
Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is also chairperson of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan); Vice President
Hamzah Haz, chairman of the Muslim-based United Development Party
(PPP); Justice and Human Rights Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra,
chairman of the Crescent and Star Party (PBB); House Speaker
Akbar Tandjung, chairman of Golkar; and People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais, chairman of the National
Mandate Party (PAN).

Reasons given by party leaders for resisting public pressure
to quit included their strong conviction that they were able to
distinguish between public and private interests, and that they
had pledged not to abuse their power.

Megawati said last Sunday that she would be violating the
party's constitution if she resigned as party chairperson since
she was formally and constitutionally elected by the party's
congress.

Amien initially wanted to set the tone by offering to resign
as chairman of PAN, but strong resistance from within his own
party prompted him to abandon the plan.

Amien's colleagues in the party blocked his will to quit the
chairmanship during the party's recent national meeting on the
grounds that "the party is still too young to be abandoned by
Amien."

According to Riswanda, the dual position controversy suggested
that the leaders were still intent on pursuing their private
ambitions and interests, while disregarding the greater public
good.

Had the political leaders been true statesman, they would have
chosen to either serve the public or serve their party, he added.

Another political observer from UGM Affan Gafar said that
there were at least two reasons why the political leaders remain
defiant to stay on as party chiefs.

First, they were afraid of losing control over the party's
decision to select party members in the House of Representatives
(DPR) which still remains the sole prerogative of the party
chairpersons.

"And secondly, there will be no guarantee that the political
leaders will be the parties' presidential candidates for the 2004
elections, should they quit the top party posts," he said.