Megawati deserves the glamor

Megawati deserves the glamor

I have a strong hunch that what has developed into the
Megawati puzzle will be resolved soon. After losing three
speakership battles -- in the Jakarta City Council, the People's
Consultative Assembly and the House of Representatives -- the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) now
seems to be facing an uphill battle to put its chairwoman in the
presidential suite.

Although I sympathize with the Mega camp, believe me, my main
concern is of a different nature; namely the deplorable fact that
the leaders elected by the people have in mind their own glamor
and the quest for power rather than the interests of the public.
Or so it seems to the naked eye.

The multiple crises confronting the nation -- the national
debt, poverty and regional autonomy, not to mention the deep-
rooted culturally embedded practice of corruption at almost all
levels of society, displaced persons and the problem of their
children's education -- should be in the minds and hearts of
every new legislator and councilor. Backwardness and poverty have
reigned too long.

If no improvement is attained through the efforts of these
legislators and councilors and their speakers, I, for one,
believe we would have the right to call their hectic political
activities nothing more than sinful cheating of the people, who
are waiting with great expectations after patiently standing in
lines to elect their representatives.

Of course, the party which emerged from the recent general
election with the most seats in the House should be given the
chance and democratic right to lead the government. If not, a
social tidal wave of unimaginable proportions may sweep the
nation.

Therefore the ideal solution, which also will balance the
political forces of evil and benevolence, lies in a grand
national coalition through genuine national reconciliation and
generally acceptable power sharing. Perhaps this is more easily
said than done. After all, democracy is tolerance too.

For a true patriot or for a plain citizen with goodwill (do we
still have such people?), any position -- on the top (the
presidency), in the middle or at the bottom -- provides an
opportunity to serve the interests of the people. Megawati has a
golden opportunity to do so from the top position. I would like
her to realize that she may deserve the glamor, but she must
still prove her worth.

If helped by trustworthy and honest advisers, I am sure she
will manage.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta