Megawati: Leader (only) of her own party

Megawati: Leader (only) of her own party

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) celebrated its 30th anniversary in glamorous fashion in Bali last week.

Megawati Soekarnoputri, PDI Perjuangan chairperson, who is also the President of the Republic, in her speech to supporters, said that the government had no other choice but to increase fuel, electricity and telephone prices.

She said the government had made the unpopular decision in order to bring the nation out of its prolonged crisis.

The message is clear, but the question remains in what capacity she spoke. Did she speak in her capacity as the party chairperson or as President?

What is certain is that Megawati has yet to respond to the people's outcry over the increase in utility prices. It is obvious that Megawati thought addressing supporters of PDI Perjuangan meant the same as addressing the nation. Megawati showed confidence when speaking in front of her supporters in Bali.

The real problem is not the decision to increase the utility prices, but in the cowardly manner in which the government announced the decision. It was more important that it should have announced the decision transparently, and at the right time.

Worse, Megawati proved herself to possess poor political acumen and communication skills when she spoke to her audience in Bali about the controversial policy. This is evidence that she cares more about her constituents than for the people of Indonesia.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta