Leaders lack wisdom and integrity, scholar says

SEMARANG (JP): The prolonged crisis hitting the country is a reflection of the leaders' lack of integrity and wisdom, a scholar says.

Eko Budihardjo, chairman of the Forum of Indonesian Rectors, cited on Thursday the heated rift between President Abdurrahman Wahid and speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais and the tension between their supporters as part of the indication "that our leaders are now lacking candor and common sense."

Other disputes he mentioned included the resignation of Faisal Basri from the National Mandate Party, the unspoken rift between Taufik Kiemas and Dimyati Hartono despite them both being PDI Perjuangan cadres, the dismissal of Hartono Marjono from the Star Crescent Party (PBB) by the party chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra and the dismissal of Alhilal Hamdi from his Ministry of Manpower post by Amien Rais.

"Even in business, wisdom and integrity is a must," Eko, who is also rector of Diponegoro University, told reporters.

"Let's just remember the difference between the many promises our leaders have made and the number they have yet to fulfill," he added, citing as examples the plan to have former president Soeharto, and his cronies, tried, the promises to eradicate corruption, collusion and nepotistic practices, and the promise to boost the national economy.

"The first thing top leaders must do to deal with the situation is to seek some introspection. They must be grateful to God for their positions. They must also be broad-minded enough to forgive others peoples' mistakes."

Meanwhile, political observer Andi Alfian Mallarangeng, said in the West Sumatra capital of Padang on Thursday that Megawati should be particularly wary of support given by the Axis Force for her presidency. "Or she will receive the same kind of treatment that President Abdurrahman Wahid does now."

Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar on the preparation of political laws, Mallarangeng said that Megawati and her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) must learn from their past experiences. "The party won the 1999 election, but the leader could not win the presidency without support from other (political) forces. Their failure was mostly due to their own arrogance."

However, he said that there was no guarantee that Megawati would be free from the (political) tempest if she does become President. "There will be no assurance for her survival, but retaining Gus Dur (President Abdurrahman) would be an even more hopeless alternative." (har/28/sur)