Inul and Judas Iscariot

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.