Maneuvers against Megawati

Maneuvers against Megawati

From Rakyat Merdeka

Together with former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's firm resistance, especially at the moment when the People's Consultative Assembly's special session was about to proceed, it was obvious that some of those around Gus Dur were making strong endeavors not only to show their loyalty but also to position themselves favorably.

As regards the latter, let's highlight particularly the process of political communication between Gus Dur's spokesmen and the electronic media. One TV station held an interview with Wimar Witoelar. Unflinching, Wimar explicitly stated, "I'm not sure Megawati Soekarnoputri can stay in power long... she could well be ousted in three months."

Wimar's statement was contradicted by Sabam Sirait but he ignored it, and went on to condemn the PDI Perjuangan and members of the People's Consultative Assembly for having no consciences as regards Gus Dur's ouster. Actually, if the statement had been said by a legislator, it would have been understandable. But the way it was said makes us question how far a presidential spokesman can play his role.

Several days before the special session, TVRI presenter Usi Karundeng's gave Gus Dur such an easy ride during an interview that we were astonished and driven to wonder whether she was trying to follow former information minister Harmoko's "acrobatic" style so that she could enter into the circles of power.

Usi Karundeng appeared so enthusiastic when acting as the moderator in a discussion program titled Constitution and Reform Directions, in which a dialog among a number former chairmen of small political parties, Gus Dur and Rachmawati from the Bung Karno Educational Foundation was featured. Blatantly, she steered the debate towards the conflict between Megawati Soekarnoputri and Rachmawati.

For example, she trapped Rachmawati with the following question: "Under these circumstances, the vice president should also be responsible and, if necessary, she should resign, shouldn't she?" Above all, I would suggest that the presidential palace be cleansed of people such as Wimar Witoelar, Adhie Massardi, Yahya Staquf, and also the silent Indrawadi Tamin.

TVRI shouldn't recruit people who are only good at bootlicking. There are still many prospective and professional employees who would make good presenters on TVRI.

SYARIEFUDDIN

Bekasi, West Java