Megawati's new role
With events unfolding in the ongoing Annual Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), millions of Indonesian voters will shortly see at least part of one of their wishes come true: Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, whose Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) won the most votes in the last general election, will assume responsibility for the day-to-day management of the government.
Thus, Megawati, who in last year's presidential election in the Assembly was outmaneuvered in political dealings by Abdurrahman Wahid, founder of the minority National Awakening Party (PKB), will at least get some of the rights she, in the eyes of her supporters, is entitled to.
On Wednesday, in a move that some observers see as proof of statesmanship on the part of the President, and many others see as a shrewd political maneuver to save whatever he can of his powers as well as to avoid a bitter confrontation with the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the embattled Indonesian President told the Assembly he had decided to assign the day-to- day management of his administration to his Vice President.
Under the arrangement he proposed, President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid would continue to manage foreign affairs, while the Vice President would be in charge of carrying out the "technical details" of running the administration, preparing the Cabinet's working agenda and determining the priorities and focus of the government. For this, the Vice President will be responsible not to the Assembly, but to the President, and report to him "periodically or whenever it is necessary".
The President's announcement was greeted by wide applause from the floor. It remains consistent with the presidential system of government as enunciated by the Constitution while accommodating demands voiced in the Assembly for a separation of the functions of head of state and head of government, considering the ailing President's limitations. It also reflects the President's willingness to admit his personal shortcomings and act to correct them -- in other words to put the nation before his own personal interests. The financial market and the stock market also reacted positively.
On the face of it, Gus Dur's proposed delegation of tasks to the Vice President settles the debate in the MPR over the kind of measures that should be taken to overcome the President's ineptitudes, whether real or presumed. There are, however, a number of pitfalls that Megawati and her supporters in the Assembly would do well to heed if the arrangement is to work, both for Megawati and for the nation.
For one thing, if the Vice President is to take responsibility for the performance of Cabinet ministers, she must have a say in their selection. Unless she is at least consulted about their selection and her approval is sought, it is difficult to see how the Vice President can be held responsible for their performance, or even how good coordination can be assured. For another, the reach of her authority and responsibilities should be clearly delineated.
As for those who doubt Megawati's ability to run the government, the only sensible advice we can give is to allow the Vice President a chance to prove herself. The President's decision to share his responsibilities with the Vice President is a good first step toward improving the government's performance.