Reporters mock passing 'President'

JAKARTA (JP): Freedom of speech is a symbol of democracy, but it takes a mature and educated public for it to work appropriately.

Non-governmental organization activist Muke Mashud said recently she was saddened to see a crowd of reporters use freedom of speech to mock Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri.

"I was in a crowd as Megawati was passing and a young man shouted 'Please step aside, give way for the president!'," Muke said.

She said the shout elicited a less flattering response from someone else in the crowd, who shrieked "Yes, here is a President Taxi", referring to the well-known taxi company.

Muke is not a Megawati supporter but she regretted the behavior of the journalists.

Megawati's security guards appeared offended by the remark and dispersed to hunt down the source, Muke said. (emf)