Strange Megawati

Strange Megawati

President Megawati Soekarnoputri clearly refused to sack Attorney General M.A. Rachman for his public lies regarding his personal wealth. She argued that dismissing Rachman did not guarantee that the next Attorney General would be better and cleaner. By making such a decision, Megawati has disappointed the people.

On the other hand, Rachman should have resigned voluntarily for his dishonesty when revealing his wealth. He did not mention his properties in Cinere, South Jakarta and Bidara Cina, East Jakarta.

On the forms submitted to the Public Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN), Rachman agreed to resign if he was found to have lied in filling the forms.

Megawati's argument could backfire on her. It is the President's prerogative to find officials at the ministerial level who have a high sense of morality. It is therefore at great risk that Megawati retains an official, who has become notorious for his dishonesty. Her own reputation is at stake for protecting or defending such an official.

Megawati's reluctance to fire Rachman could plant a suspicion in the people, that she is part of the public lie.

-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta