Inul and Judas Iscariot

Kornelius Purba, Staff Writer, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, korpur@yahoo.com

For the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Inul Daratista with her "drill"-style dance is more irreplaceable than anyone in the Cabinet, especially those with the potential to be a Judas, with their ambitions to rival the incumbent President in next year's elections.

The party has announced its plan to hire the dangdut singer as a powerful magnet for crowds in the campaigns ahead of the legislative elections. Party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri seems to realize that Inul's erotic gyrating is more attractive than her long-winded promises.

Meanwhile, the faces of Megawati's possible rivals in the Cabinet -- like Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare Jusuf Kalla -- most likely flushed a deep red when PDI Perjuangan's executives teased them, urging them to act like gentlemen by quitting the Cabinet.

Susilo, although silent in public, is often mentioned as a strong presidential aspirant. Jusuf, who openly submitted his name as a Golkar presidential candidate, was upset with the call for resignation from PDI Perjuangan, and argued that his ambition did not violate any laws.

Indeed, there's nothing wrong with ambition -- and Jusuf or Susilo might be better than Megawati, or at least more outspoken.

Megawati's inner circle is confident that she has the best chance in next year's presidential election, compared to other contenders like Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly Amien Rais, Vice President Hamzah Haz or Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung.

Amien announced his plan to meet with U.S. President George Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard probably to boost his international image. These days, Bush and Howard are not in the good books of many here, so why should he take the risk?

As for Akbar, a convicted felon in a corruption case who is appealing his sentence, his supporters would need to set off on a mission impossible to convince potential voters that he is comparable to South Africa's Nelson Mandela -- who was a convict before he became president. But Mandela had served over a quarter-century in jail as a political prisoner under the white South African government.

In comparison to Amien and Akbar, Jusuf and Susilo have a much better reputation and hence, are seen as a potential threat by PDI Perjuangan. Jusuf is a respected business tycoon from eastern Indonesia. Susilo's military background and his strong leadership as a chief security minister is an advantage, because many have become tired of civilian politicians.

For many PDI Perjuangan executives -- although their take on this issue may not necessarily be supported by Megawati -- it is better to oust these two ministers rather than letting them become Judases to the party.

It is childish, however, to ask the them to quit the Cabinet. They have every right to contest the election.

The party realizes that it will receive less support from voters next year. Many of its cadres were sidelined, economically and politically, during the Soeharto regime -- jobless but educated people, or mere political adventurers.

Just look at the legislators from the central to regional levels -- many of them are now one of the nouveaux riches, including those from PDI Perjuangan. They are still busy adding to their collection of cars, or sending their children abroad to study. They are not ready to become poor again, if they lose in next year's elections. The problem is as simple as that.

PDI Perjuangan has still a long way to go until it becomes a rich, yet elegant, party. Meanwhile, many of the Golkar cadres are well-established people, so they may now be ready to perform as clean politicians and persuade voters that Golkar has a good track record in development, which it does.

Megawati, on the other hand, is busy complaining that people do not appreciate her hard work in trying to clean up Indonesia's mess. She is clearly confident that no one can beat her -- at least, not easily -- in the presidential election. She is now less dependent on her own party, because many of those who have left the party have not lost their love for her.

For Megawati, not only are Susilo and Jusuf not a threat, but they also seem expendable. Her distress is focused more on how to attract people to attend her campaign next year.

Therefore, Inul the dancer is truly a golden asset. And Megawati's husband Taufik Kiemas has also seen Inul's performance, and can vouch for her powerful draw.