RI needs strong leader: Observers

RI needs strong leader: Observers

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia must have a strong leader committed to
total reform if the nation is to be revived, political observers
said.

Salahuddin Wahid, President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's
younger brother and a deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU),
said that with the increasing political tension a strong leader
was needed to save the nation from disintegration and to bring it
out of its prolonged crises.

"We now need a strong leader with the support of the major
political parties to cope with lawlessness, all of the issues in
the regions and political turbulence," he said during a seminar
held here on Friday to discuss solutions to the political impasse
at the national leadership level.

Salahuddin, who said he was not speaking for his brother or
NU, implied that Gus Dur's administration could not effectively
continue because of serious opposition from the House of
Representatives.

He said the President, major political parties and the
People's Consultative Assembly must consider the well-being of
the nation if a special session of the Assembly is called to
consider impeachment hearings against Abdurrahman.

"The major parties and the Assembly must take into
consideration the costs and benefits of replacing the nation's
leader," he said.

Hariman Siregar, an activist who was involved in the 1974
Malari student demonstrations, questioned Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's ability to replace Gus Dur and lead the nation.
He said the country needed a strong ruler, either a civilian or
from the military, to overcome the current political turbulence.

He predicted that if Megawati assumed the presidency, she
would have trouble dealing with the strong House and the powerful
remnants of the New Order regime.

"Frankly speaking, I'm not sure of Megawati's leadership
skills. I don't care who is elected to replace Gus Dur but he or
she must have an iron hand to enforce the law, to fight against
rampant corruption and to carry out total reform in all areas,"
he said.

He said Indonesia required a decisive government capable of
taking action to handle the country's many crises and to reform
the state system.

Din Syamsuddin, the deputy chairman of the Muhammadiyah Muslim
organization, said Indonesia needed a strong leader to cope with
the increasing political tension and to lead the nation out of
its continuing crises. (rms)