Megawati shuns Gus Dur
Megawati shuns Gus Dur
From Koran Tempo
The meeting among political leaders in Bogor has brought no
result, making the future of President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur"
Wahid gloomier and gloomier. Reconciliation between the political
elite and Gus Dur intended to eliminate differences of opinions
and view points has become more elusive.
As a matter of fact, it is Gus Dur who is to blame. During his
early days in power, he extolled democracy and planned to
eradicate the practices of corruption, collusion and nepotism
left over from the New Order regime. But, ironically he is also
implicated and mired in similar cases.
Perhaps this is what people call being intoxicated. He would
regard correction as harsh criticism, but strangely enough,
instead of responding to warnings, he does nothing to address
them. He does not seem to feel sorry about the blunders he has
made and even keeps on traveling overseas during the economic
crises as a remedy for his ailing administration and to garner
support from foreign countries. While he continues to do this, we
all wonder, where is he taking this country to?.
The people are surely disappointed but there is one person who
is deeply disappointed: his Vice President Megawati. Although her
party won in the last general election, surprisingly, someone
else sits at the helm, deceiving his deputy or making her a
shield in decision-making processes.
Now Megawati is losing her patience. Gur Dur reminds you of a
husband who does not love his wife but does not want to divorce
her, because she is wealthy.
Hence, if there is to be a drastic change in the special
session, the political leaders should think really hard and act
more rationally and be extremely careful when choosing a
president.
Some points to consider: the vice president must not come from
a political party and must have high integrity.
During the New Order era, we never witnessed a rift between
our top leaders during their tenure and at that time a vice
president even served for two successive terms.
To avoid further uncertainties, if it is felt that there is a
dire need to replace the president, our laws permit us to do so.
As Gus Dus has been wandering too long, it would be much better
for him to resign.
DJUNAEDI SAID
Jakarta