Indonesian presidency not men-only club: Observers

JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Golkar and United Development party factions expressed opposition on Tuesday to the idea that only men were fit to serve as the country's president.

Golkar faction member Dewi Fortuna Anwar, also a spokeswoman for President B.J. Habibie under Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung, said she "would be the first person to demonstrate" if a law or fatwa (guidance) from the Indonesian Ulemas Council ruled that the presidency was exclusive to men.

Dewi was responding to an unofficial decision of the Indonesian Moslem Congress which has attracted both criticism and support.

It is particularly sensitive because of the prominence of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the eldest daughter of the country's first president and the head of a faction of the splintered Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).

"We know that Indonesia has ratified the United Nations Convention Against All Forms of Discrimination," Dewi, a political researcher, was quoted by Antara as saying.

"If we ruled that the president should be male, Javanese and Moslem, we would violate our own Constitution and the Convention," she said, adding that "discriminative" requirements for the presidency would be "antidemocratic".

President B.J. Habibie's ascension to the presidency shook a long-held belief among Indonesians that the country's president must be a Moslem, an Army general and Javanese. Although Moslem, Habibie is a civilian and a native of South Sulawesi.

"If someone fails to be elected because she is female and not a Moslem, that would be political reality. But it should not become a legal basis," Dewi said.

Ali Yafie, the head of the Indonesian Ulemas Council which sponsored the congress from Nov. 3 to Nov. 7, has said the proposal was not included in its 11-point declaration due to the diverse views among the congress participants.

The issue drew a widespread response, among them from Moslem scholars on interpretations of religious teachings.

Dewi added that all components of the nation "should open the widest possible equal opportunity to all prospective (citizens)" interested in running for the presidency.

Antara also quoted the secretary of the United Development Party (PPP) faction, Endin A.J.Soefihara, as saying that it was his "personal opinion" that anyone should be allowed to become president.

On Monday, 12 non-governmental organizations also voiced rejection of the proposal.

A statement signed by 18 women activists cited Article 27 of the Constitution which rules that each citizen has equal status before the law and the government.

"Discrimination, based on sex, religion, race or ethnicity, would pose a potential problem for integration and democracy in Indonesia," the statement said.

Self-declared presidential candidate Amien Rais has said a woman could serve as president in the event no suitable male candidates were available.

Islamic women's group 'Aisyiah has requested that the Indonesian Ulemas Council issue a religious guidance to decide the issue. (prb/anr)