Megawati is the key to rebuilding devastated Bali

The government must take quick and appropriate action to "rebuild" the devastated Bali, with President Megawati Soekarnoputri expected to be on the front line in the national effort to heal the island. Bogor-based social psychologist Ihsan Malik of the University of Indonesia, who has helped community rebuilding efforts in conflict-ravaged areas such as Maluku and Central Sulawesi, shares his views with The Jakarta Post's Soeryo Winoto.

Question: Bali has been devastated by bombs. Many fear that the Balinese Hindu -- due to a lack of information -- will take up arms against other ethnic groups and religions. What do you think?

Answer: There is something interesting in Bali, with its village community called banjar. Kuta, where the bomb exploded, is said to have been westernized, but it still has a very strong banjar.

I don't see any possibility that the Balinese Hindu community will become that aggressive. They are very compromising. I believe that the mechanisms of Balinese culture are strong enough to prevent community members from turning to violence.

But I'm afraid that those who represent a political party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), will demonstrate their anger.

Bali is the stronghold of PDI Perjuangan, isn't it?

What do you think will be the most dramatic social impact of the tragedy?

Bali was the only "neutral or safe zone" in the country. Now that Bali has been devastated we have lost everything and are moving backward. Two years will not be enough to rebuild Bali into a neutral zone. This estimation is based on my experiences in the "war-torn" city of Ambon, Maluku.

What about community reconstruction in Bali?

Civil society must be empowered. I suggest that the mechanisms of the local community be strengthened. It's time for the local community to be given a better bargaining position (in deciding the future of), instead of political parties and the government.

I believe empowering society is a must. The middle class, professionals and the press must be stronger and more involved in community reconstruction. We must all handle and solve our problems.

The problem is that we are not familiar with managing and handling problems. What we usually do to respond to problems is flee or fight.

There are abundant problems. Letting those problems go unsolved is also a way to escape from the problems. We usually accuse some party of being behind a tragedy. This is dangerous. We must be able to handle and manage problems properly.

How long do you think it will take to rebuild community and to rebuild trust in Bali?

Based on my experiences in Ambon, we need at least one year to rebuild public trust. It's not simple to rebuild public trust, revive feelings of security and to empower the helpless people there. Trust-building is the most difficult thing to do.

Many people say that President Megawati Soekarnoputri should be on the front line of a national movement to rebuild the community in Bali. Do you agree?

I am always surprised by her sluggishness. She is always late to react and to provide solutions in critical situations. The President and the House of Representatives have not been able to build a solid synergy (in dealing with the emergency situation in Bali). The press and non-governmental organizations will be overwhelmed in helping reconstruct the Balinese community. It is the Balinese alone who must be proactive and do something for themselves.

Why do you think Megawati is always late to react?

Maybe it is just her nature. She lacks a sense of crisis. Just imagine, she visited Bali and made a statement hours after the (Bali) blasts. And what has she done in the two days after that? She just waited for Downer (Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer). She has been too slow to offer solutions. She has no capacity. This is dangerous.

Isn't the Bali tragedy a golden opportunity for Megawati to rebuild her image, which is very important for her future political career?

I have no idea. I may give up if you ask that question. Yes, it is the most important moment for Megawati to move. But, again, she has been too slow and was late to react.

I think there must be a strong push from the grassroots for Megawati to move, and we intellectuals and the press keep monitoring what she will do and has done. We are curious about what steps she will make and has made, and what solutions she offers for Bali in such an emergency situation.

Or maybe we have been too lenient and patient in not having pushed her. Maybe from now on we must work harder to push her harder.

Why don't we hold a national discussion or arrange a public hearing on Bali, so as to continue providing the public with accurate information.

So the key is Megawati?

Exactly. She is the key and she is, in fact, strong enough for that. She must use this golden opportunity to rebuild her image. Unfortunately she has yet to take any steps. She must move next week at the latest. I'm afraid that the indigenous Balinese will be angry if she takes no action, and this could lead to terrible chaos.

Megawati has a very strong opportunity to take the proper steps in the Bali disaster. First because her grandmother was Balinese, second she would get the full political support from her PDI Perjuangan party, and third the international community is now opening its hands to help Indonesia.