Megawati's absence

For some time now many have hoped that President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid would be persuaded by members of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) and other intellectuals and influential figures in society to hand over power, temporarily, to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, as a way out to the national political crisis. Officially, Gus Dur would be a figure head on sick leave. Megawati would be the actual power holder. The President actually has signed a decree to that effect but he seems to have forgotten it or he simply ignores his obligation as usual when he is faced with many problems.

As we know, Nurmahmudi, minister of forestry, was dismissed recently by the President without warning. The reasons given by the head of state was that he could not agree with the presidential policy on forestry matters and that he had failed to exercise control over his own party, the Justice Party, which voted against Abdurrahman Wahid when a censure was tabled in the House of Representatives some time ago.

Whatever the reasons for Nurmahmudi's dismissal the President has the prerogative to appoint or discharge a Cabinet minister, so nobody protests openly against his decision.

However, many were more surprised to see the conspicuous absence of Vice President Megawati during the installation ceremony of the new minister. It has become customary that ceremonies pertaining to the installation of new ministers, even officials serving with the military are conducted by Megawati Soekarnoputri mainly due to the physical constraint of the president.

Megawati's absence is seen as her disagreement with the appointment of Marzuki Usman who many regard as still closely associated with the New Order era. The most remarkable thing of the affair has been that no explanation has been given by Megawati or by anybody else inside or outside her circle. It has been accepted as the most natural thing in democracy, firing ministers without reasons.

Some may interpret her absence as a maneuver of distancing herself from the Abdurrahman Wahid Cabinet while preparing for taking a more active role by herself. It is known that Megawati has preferred to see a reshuffle of the entire Cabinet with new faces who are more dedicated to the reformation cause of a clean government.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta