It is democracy at last

It is democracy at last

Former president Habibie's term report rejection was the
crucial turning point to bring democracy back to this country.
Together with a comrade in arms in the People's Consultative
Assembly and outside, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) had shown consistency and firm determination to
prove that democracy implies an undisputed true value in real
life. It is invaluable. Thank God, Habibie, claiming himself to
be a democrat, implicitly acknowledged to the shortcomings in his
report. He came back to his common sense by rejecting the ego
maniac and die hard opportunistic supporters in and outside the
Assembly. Habibie dropped his presidency nomination.

Two presidential nominees came to the stage. Abdurrahman
Wahid, also known as Gus Dur, and Megawati. Both claimed to be
like brother and sister. They dramatically exercised true
democracy. Members of the Assembly cast their votes in favor of
Gus Dur. Megawati lost the battle.

The vice presidency was the last hope. Megawati, nominated by
the National Awakening Party (PKB), entered the last battle ready
to lose for the second time. She had to compete with Akbar
Tanjung, the chairman of Golkar, Gen. Wiranto, the commander of
the Indonesian Military, and Hamzah Haz, the chairman of the
United Development Party (PPP). PKB worked hard to secure an
unanimous acceptance of Megawati as vice president. Akbar and
Wiranto declined the nomination but not Hamzah Haz. Amien Rais,
the Assembly speaker, did not succeed in persuading Hamzah Haz to
do the same. Why!

What is the outcome of the power sharing that was informally
agreed to in the political conspiracy to kick Megawati out of the
national scene. Amien Rais from the National Mandate Party (PAN),
holding the fifth rank in the last general election, became the
speaker of the Assembly. House Speaker Akbar Tanjung is from
Golkar, the second winner. Gus Dur, who was elected president,
was sponsored by PKB, the third winner. Hamzah Haz from PPP, the
fourth winner of the election, was backed up by his compatriots
but had to fight for himself. A betrayal? Only heaven knows.

The show must go on. A democracy must be by voting. Hamzah Haz
lost the fight to a woman. Being Vice President is good enough.
The millions of bulls led by Megawati have won the war. Mama Mega
will be seen again in Merdeka Palace, where she was brought up
during her childhood, and she will accompany Gus Dur to lead the
country in true democracy.

DOANGSA SITUMEANG

Jakarta