Judging Megawati

Only days after the People's Consultative Assembly installed Megawati Soekarnoputri as President of the Republic of Indonesia, it is interesting -- and also more than a little discouraging -- to note the disparaging observations with which Indonesia's new President has been greeted by the international media.

While most of those media analysts appear to be willing to give Megawati the benefit of the doubt given her untested performance in state affairs, the general pitch has leaned toward the negative side.

The reputable Hong Kong-based news magazine the Far Eastern Economic Review, in its Aug. 2 edition, even went so far as to brand Megawati on its cover page as a "puppet president" who is beholden to both the military, which abandoned former president Abdurrahman Wahid and supported his impeachment, and the "conservative forces" of president Soeharto's New Order regime.

"That would mean that reform will slow down, corruption could go unpunished, and business confidence would be hard to restore.

"Her nationalist sentiments and her inclination to take firmer action against separatist rebels make her a more reliable patron of conservative political forces, and there are fears that this will keep the military in the forefront of political life," the article said.

Up to a certain extent it cannot be denied that Megawati has only herself to blame for inviting such negative and unfair comments from the international media. So far, Megawati has largely avoided explaining her views about what she believes Indonesia's future should be and how she proposes to achieve that objective.

One could point out that former president Soeharto also didn't like to personally elucidate his views on such matters. Soeharto, however, had a group of competent ideologues and technocrats at his disposal who could do the explaining for him. Furthermore, in Megawati's case there is the rather unfortunate circumstance that she had Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid as her immediate predecessor. In terms of communication, a comparison between the two, as one can easily see, immediately works in Megawati's disfavor.

For one thing, Abdurrahman speaks English well. He loves to meet and talk to the press and knows how to use the media to his advantage. He is also seen to represent the country's prodemocracy movement through his many oral and written discourses and through his activities in the Forum for Democracy. He is a highly respected Islamic leader, yet is known for his tolerant, inclusive views and stance in matters of religion. And not only is Abdurrahman close to many populist non-governmental organizations, he also has a daughter who knows how to effectively reach out to such groups and individuals, especially members of the working press.

One of Megawati's major personal weaknesses as a politician is indeed her reticence. This is unfortunate since in a number of private conversations Megawati has shown that she can surprise her detractors with some well thought-out, judicious policy decisions. It is true though, that in her current position as president of the largest country in this region, it is of critical importance that she make herself more accessible to others. Given the existing circumstances, it seems that there is a need for the office of the presidency to facilitate such accessibility.

In conclusion, it is rather disappointing to see such quick judgment passed on President Megawati by such a respected publication as the Far Eastern Economic Review. It is difficult to comprehend how such a hurried view could be arrived at by the magazine, especially since its editor in chief, Mr. Michael Vatikiosis, has worked in Indonesia for so many years. He surely remembers, based on his Indonesian experience, the dictum to always expect the unexpected. That is also applicable to President Megawati Soekarnoputri.