Megawati too late for presidency?

JAKARTA (JP): An absent-minded journalist walked out of a news briefing very angry with himself because he forgot to ask a question he believed would knock a Golkar politician down.

The 90-minute news conference had turned into a heated argument between journalists and the politicians over Golkar's rejection of Emil Salim's vice presidential candidacy.

Legislator Fahmi Idris argued that Golkar was pressed to accept Emil's candidacy only after the dominant political grouping had nominated technology czar B.J. Habibie.

"It took three years of very democratic process before we decided to chose Habibie. While they (Emil's supporters) came along only several weeks ago. It was too late," he said.

Then the Golkar politicians hastily ended the news briefing because they said they had another meeting to attend.

Only then did the forgetful journalist remember that pro- democracy activists had sought to initiate a presidential bid for Megawati Soekarnoputri, an opposition figurehead more than three years ago.

"Sir, excuse me, Megawati was proposed three years ago..." he shouted at Fahmi.

Fahmi took a brief glimpse at the journalist, turned on his heel and walked briskly out of the room. (pan)