Mega has only herself to blame: Experts

Mega has only herself to blame: Experts
Megawati told to introspect over media report

Kurniawan Hari
The Jakarta Post
Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri has only herself to blame for
her administration's deteriorating image, public relations
experts said Thursday.

The experts were commenting on Megawati's claim that the media
were unbalanced in its reporting of the utility price increases
and the protests against her administration.

Public relations practitioners Teddy Kharsadi and Magdalena
Wenas expressed concern at what they said was the President's
improper response to the criticism.

Teddy, an advisor to the Public Relations Association
(Perhumas), suggested that Megawati not blame the national media
but instead form a team to explain her policies to the people.

The government's habit of not explaining the reasons behind
any of its policies had sparked prejudice among the people,
regardless of the decision they made, Magdalena said.

"The government has to build a strong team to improve its
communication with the people," said Magdalena, the director of
the Center of Reputation and Management.

It is now common to see protesters at mass rallies burning
images of the President and Vice President Hamzah Has, or
defacing the national flag.

Protests against Megawati's leadership have been numerous in
the past few months, often sparked by decisions that have hurt
the public's sense of justice.

Among the most controversial decisions was her plan to release
high-profile debtors from criminal charges. Shortly afterwards,
the government decided to cut fuel subsidies and increase
electricity tariffs and telephone rates by 6 percent and 15
percent respectively.

Some people also oppose the government's decision to sell its
41.9 percent stake in state telecommunications firm PT Indosat to
a foreign company.

A dejected Megawati accused the national media on Wednesday of
exaggerating the stories. She said the media was not sympathetic
to her and always misunderstood her words and policies.

Teddy, who led Perhumas for 10 years, said Megawati needed to
work to restore credibility and regain public trust, not blame
the media.

He suggested the government set up a crisis management team to
respond to all criticism of her administration.

Magdalena said Megawati's administration had to begin building
the communication team, otherwise the image of her government
would continue to slump.