Leadership change proceeds smoothly

Leadership change proceeds smoothly

It is too bad that events in Jakarta have overshadowed the meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Hanoi. It should be remembered by everyone that the last Indonesian government was overthrown in months of destructive and murderous violence that included the burning of parts of the capital and the flight of much of the middle class. Democracy has proved again it provides a peaceful way to change regimes.

Mr. Wahid's departure solves one set of problems. The sometimes eccentric Muslim teacher failed to establish a confident leadership in his country. His long absences overseas gave the impression that he did not care to face harsh problems or, worse, that he did not care about them. He refused to play his part in the barely budding democratic process, imperiously ignoring parliament's requests and demands that he account for his actions.

But seeing Mr. Wahid off the stage leaves Indonesia and Mrs. Megawati with huge challenges, including several that she carries into the presidency. Unfortunately, she will have to face skeptics of the old school who believe a woman should not run a country. There also are those who compare her to her father Sukarno, a firebrand nationalist, and find her wanting. Mrs. Megawati should ignore both these groups so far as she can, and move into the job with her own style and competence.

More seriously, Mrs. Megawati will have to continue to deal with the political leadership which back-stabbed her just 21 months ago. The speaker of parliament, Amien Rais, is prominent among those Indonesian leaders with their own agenda. It must be hoped they will resist the temptation to try to use and manipulate the president.

Indonesia needs a strong leader with a vision. Mrs. Megawati is extremely popular, and she can build on grassroots support. She has to hold together a fractious nation, while trying to dig it out of a recession which has impoverished vast parts of the country for four years. It won't be an easy task. Mrs. Megawati deserves the help of all Indonesians.

-- The Bangkok Post