Megawati's absence

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