People regret Megawati's support for Sutiyoso

People regret Megawati's support for Sutiyoso

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri's decision to throw her weight
behind the incumbent, Sutiyoso, in September's gubernatorial
election has raised many eyebrows. A number of people share their
opinion on the whole matter with The Jakarta Post.

Karya Er Sada, 30, an activist with the Jakarta chapter of the
Indonesian Forum for the Environment.

"Sutiyoso's nomination by PDI Perjuangan confirms that the
party and its chairwoman, Megawati, are close to the military.

"I really regret that Megawati has so easily forgotten the
brutal actions of the military against her loyal followers when
she was still an opposition figure during former president
Soeharto's reign.

"I think this will have great political consequences because
Megawati and PDI Perjuangan will be abandoned by the grassroots,
which used to be the party's main support.

"It may be true that nominating Sutiyoso for reelection will
help ensure security in the capital for the 2004 general
election, but the political cost for Megawati and her party will
be more than anything she will gain from the nomination."

Helmy Sungkar, is an observer and organizer for the auto
industry, and lives on Jl. Kesehatan, Bintaro, South Jakarta.

"I think it was difficult for Ibu Megawati to make her
decision, but if there are other candidates besides Pak Sutiyoso
they must also be well acquainted with Jakarta. They must
understand the administration, so therefore they must be career
people. The candidacy of the incumbent West Nusa Tenggara
governor, Pak Harun Alrasyid, will be good.

"But there are too many candidates. Many of them do not meet
the requirements for a governor of a big city like Jakarta. But I
hope we will get the best person who is capable of leading
Jakarta into the future."

Anung Diptohapsoro, 43, has spent the last 17 years working at
the House of Representatives' Secretariat.

"I find the whole relationship between Megawati and Sutiyoso
really bewildering. There are too many unanswerable questions.

"How could Megawati support Sutiyoso as the next governor when
he hurt Megawati's party in the July 27 incident, which remains
unsolved?

"As an ordinary person, I am fed up with the maneuvering of
our top politicians and their unpredictable tricks. I am sick of
it.

"Personally, the unsympathetic nature of Sutiyoso has turned
me off of any issues having to do with him. His programs never
succeed, except for the renovation of the fountain at the Hotel
Indonesia traffic circle. This is also true of Megawati, who
never announces any distinct plans of action."

Lisa N.R., 26, an account executive at a media company in
South Jakarta. She has lived in the city since 1992.

"It is unbelievable that Megawati supports Sutiyoso for a
second term. I can't even understand her reasoning, that she
supports him because he has a military background that will be
beneficial in maintaining security in the capital during the
upcoming election.

"I don't think maintaining security is the job of the
governor. The police is the institution responsible for
maintaining public security. A governor manages other things,
such as improving public services or improving the welfare of
residents.

"Besides, picking a governor from the military is ridiculous.
Indonesia is a civilian state, isn't it? Our past experience
showed that the military must not be involved in the government,
but should just see to managing the country's security." --JP