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)