Leaders lack wisdom and integrity, scholar says

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)