Megawati's doublespeak
Megawati's doublespeak
In an interview in the June 21 edition of Newsweek, Megawati
Soekarnoputri made a statement which set me thinking. Question:
"Why are you so vague when you talk of your policies?".
Megawati's answer: "I'm not. It depends on the audience. If I'm
addressing an international audience I always talk about specific
policies. But not when I'm facing the people who can't easily
digest complicated and sophisticated policies."
Does this mean that only an "international audience" is
entitled to clear statements from Megawati "about specific
policies", but not her fellow citizens? Does this mean that
millions of well-educated Indonesians who can very well "easily
digest complicated and sophisticated policies" do not deserve the
same privilege as an "international audience"? And what about
those Indonesians who might indeed have difficulties in
comprehending difficult political issues? Are they not entitled
to be addressed by a presidential candidate with simple words
which, I am sure, they would be able to understand?
Megawati Soekarnoputri should explain to her supporters that
36 percent of the votes are not a majority which would
automatically entitle her to become president. She should also
tell her fanatical followers that their blood-oath action and
banners saying "Megawati or Revolution" are serious threats to
the long-desired democratization of the country. Who will bear
the responsibility if her supporters run amok in case the
constitutionally legitimized People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
does not elect her president? I think it should be the prime
concern of a presidential candidate to provide political
education, especially to the common people.
Former president Soeharto addressed his "subjects" like
underage children, and critical questions were not permitted. It
worries me that now, when people can freely question their
political leaders, Megawati's supporters choose to follow her
blindly, without asking any questions about her political views.
After Soeharto's fall, Indonesia has made a big step forward
by introducing freedom of the press and by holding the country's
first free and fair elections. I am afraid that actions like
blood oaths and threats which put the MPR under pressure may turn
the wheel back to political patterns similar to those prevailing
during the New Order.
MRS. HILDE MAY
Jakarta