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