President needs a PR person
President needs a PR person
The postelection period for Cabinet ministers and members of
the People's Consultative Assembly and House of Representatives,
both at the central and provincial levels, should be seen, and
most importantly felt by those concerned, as a trial-and-error
period. They should show the nation that they have vision, listen
to people's aspirations, take the initiative and, of even greater
value, are trustworthy, unselfish and devoted to serving the
common interest rather than their personal and party interests.
With the Cabinet reflecting almost all the forces on the
legislative fronts plus the defense and security elements, there
is ample time and opportunity to feel satisfied and complacent.
In reality, there is no time to fool around let alone
celebrate the newly acquired facilities and power. The situation
is so serious and yet still confusing that even President
Abdurrahman Wahid seems hard pressed in selecting priorities.
Aceh first or Clinton? But he knows for sure that the economy
deserves his greatest attention. Otherwise, he would not have
unhesitatingly requested economic advice from Singapore's Lee
Kuan Yew, and Japan's Prime Minister Obuchi for additional
economic (read financial) aid package. President Wahid realizes
that foreign investment is desperately needed by this country. He
talked to the International Monetary Fund's people in Washington
while many had expected him to visit Aceh.
It is essential for the head of state not to make a political
slip and take the wrong step. There are social, political as well
as religious groupings which despise his unorthodox, innovative,
liberal and uninhibited approach, including his proposal to open
up trade with Israel.
It would be politically wise for him to declare after he
returns home that he has abandoned the plan to establish trade
relations with Israel to appease the extreme elements in
society. It has become clear that President Wahid also needs a
presidential spokesperson to do the necessary public relations
work on his usually controversial and unpopular policies before
his ministers take over the job in more technical terms. Why not
take a lesson from the White House?
Despite his sudden bursts of inspiration like traveling around
the world, and disregarding his physical limitations, his modest
style of living and not being afraid of living in "poverty" with
his family should serve as an example to every minister,
legislator, government official and the general public, something
that seemed "taboo" in the past.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta