Megawati chides obsequious aides, groveling officials
Megawati chides obsequious aides, groveling officials
Rita A. Widiadana and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post,
Bali/Jakarta
President Megawati Soekarnoputri rebuked sycophantic officials
and aides in her government on Monday, accusing them of regularly
submitting false reports to her, just to keep her happy.
But politicians once close to Megawati, blamed the fawning
officials for the President's dislike of criticism.
Some of them, the President complained, have developed a
locally known habit Asal Ibu Senang (keeping Madam happy).
"I don't want to see and hear such reports. If the situation
is bad, then tell me the truth. The new phenomenon only follows
the bad habit inherited from the New Order regime, popularly
known as Asal Bapak Senang (keeping the boss happy)," Megawati
said, when opening the Indolivestock and Fishery Conference and
Exhibition in Nusa Dua resort complex on Wednesday.
During the powerful New Order regime of former president
Soeharto, none of his Cabinet ministers would be brave enough to
voice a different opinion to the president's.
Most government officials at every level would only provide
clean and good reports on every program and activity, just to
please their superiors.
Looking fresh with a stylish hairdo, Megawati added she was
always very upset when she heard that one of her ministers or
staff members was doing nothing but talking.
"What we really need are concrete actions and steps to lift
our nation out of the multi-dimensional crisis," the President
added.
Megawati went on to say that if ministers give her incorrect
reports, than she could not formulate a good policy and seek
effective solutions to lingering problems.
Legislator Indira Damayanti Sugondo, who has submitted a
letter of resignation to PDI Perjuangan faction, revealed that
Megawati, by nature, did not like to face criticism.
Indira added that virtually all members of the party knew this
and waited for Megawati to be in a good mood before voicing
criticism, though often they would just give up.
"She (Megawati) was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Her
first reaction to criticism or difference was dislike," Indira
told The Jakarta Post by phone.
Indira added that this situation had caused party members or
Cabinet ministers to submit shining reports to their boss.
According to Indira, Megawati should take stern action against
any ministers who submit a flattering report because such reports
adversely affect policy decisions and the administration.
Megawati should also inform the public which ministries
regularly submit rosy reports.
PDI Perjuangan member Sophan Sophiaan said Megawati had become
ignorant of what the public wanted and often decided on whatever
she wanted because the party had given her a blank check to do
so.
He cited the party's congress in Semarang, Central Java in
2000, which gave her the authority to do "whatever it takes for
the sake of the party and country".
"If someone is given that kind of authority, of course it
gives her the opportunity to do whatever she wants, because it is
allowed," Sophan told The Jakarta Post.
He underlined that Megawati retained such habits, even when
she became president last year.
"The party should do something to limit her powers, otherwise
it will bring future difficulties," Sophan remarked.