Taufik Kiemas

Taufik Kiemas
JP/ /KARIM

Taufik Kiemas

Karim Raslan
Lawyer
Kuala Lumpur

Indonesia's "First Gentleman," Taufik Kiemas is a loud man and
larger-than-life. Charming, street-smart and just a little bit
shifty, Taufik Kiemas comes across as a slightly older version of
Tony Soprano, the lead character from the successful HBO TV
series The Sopranos based on a New Jersey Mafioso clan.

Married to the President, Megawati Soekarnoputri for nearly
30 years the Sumatran born spouse has become a lightening
conductor for criticism and he knows it -- whether its selling
LNG to the Chinese, the contract for the Jakarta Outer Ring Road
or the double-track railway project from one end of Java to
other, "TK" is reputed to be the final arbiter of the deal.

But Ulil Abshar Abdalla, a progressive Muslim activist
cautions that a one-dimensional reading of Taufik's position
underestimates and mischaracterizes the man's role: "... people
tend to overlook the positive nature of the relationship. He
provides her with sound advice, useful suggestions and support.
There are times when she seems hesitant and he appears to push
her forward."

Still, Taufik -- perhaps mindful of the extent to which is
prominence is dependent on his wife's power -- defends her
dutifully, rejecting many of my pointed comments about the
President's tardiness on the issue of security. Moreover, despite
never having completed tertiary education he tackles questions
intelligently.

"The President is moving at her own speed and in her own way.
She has a plan -- you, Malaysians and Singaporeans you're
paranoid. We don't have the Internal Security Act here. We can't
lock people up on mere suspicion. We have to have scientific and
forensic evidence. It's important to prove things slowly and
effectively. Establishing credibility takes time. An
investigation takes time."

"But why's she so silent?"

"I think it's better that she doesn't say too much. It could
be misunderstood or misread. It's important to be clear." It's a
well-rehearsed answer and unpersuasive. He continues: "She has a
plan: She is systematic: There are less demonstrations, the
Rupiah has stabilized, the economic slide is halted. We must be
patient: You don't solve the country's problems overnight."

"Is she sombong (proud)?" He bristles.

"She's withdrawn: That's her." In fact, Taufik's greatest
value for his wife has been his ability to make friends and
pacify enemies and dissenters. His expansive personality (coupled
with the Sumatran penchant for straight-talking) means he finds
it easier to reach out to people and build bridges. Unlike his
wife (who is a political princess and disinclined to treat her
Cabinet as equals) he understands the importance of humility as
well as well as the need to build relationships based on trust
and good will.

A good example is in his handling of the Islamic groups. When
asked about the accusations that he and his wife aren't
sufficiently Islamic? He pauses before he answers.

"My parents were both members of Muhammadiyah and so was Ibu's
father. I have many friends from the Islamic groups -- there's
Alwi Shihab (a former foreign minister under Abdurrahman Wahid)
and the Deputy Head of PAN (Amien Rais' party), Hatta Radjasa,
the Minister of Science and Technology. I reach out, I make
friends."

I ask him for advice, given the growing prominence of
neighboring countries as a source of foreign direct investment
into Indonesia. "Focus on Sumatra," he says, "Sumatra and the
peninsular: we share cultural similarities: for a start we're all
Malay - serumpun. Look at the energy sector -- coal mining for
example -- or toll roads."

Do investors need to have his "blessing"? "No, no. But I'm
here to help ease the path, to make things move faster."

What's the difference then between the Soeharto and the
Soekarno eras? "Under pak Harto, the 'first' family owned the
businesses. That's not going to happen with us."

When asked how his wife will be preparing for the presidential
elections in 2004 he's very straight-forward: "Ibu knows she must
'touch the people'. She must get the party bureaucracy (referring
to the PDI Perjuangan machinery) and the national administration
moving. That is her next big task."

Taufik's growing profile is a reflection of his wife's
weaknesses. Ibu Mega's silences are profound. They are also
debilitating for a country struggling to come to terms with
severe security and economic challenges. Indonesia needs a leader
who's ready and willing to impart a clear sense of direction. But
Ibu Megawati appears to prefer the ceremonial duties of her
office to the executive functions. She is more a "Head of State"
than a "Head of Government": The distinction is vital.

She shies away from sitting down and talking to the "people".
She doesn't want to engage with businessmen, politicians, civil
servants or journalists. With her limited education and public
exposure she seems to see such encounters as invasive and
threatening, retreating behind Presidential protocol in self-
defense.

Pak Taufik has stepped into the vacuum. He speaks for the
President, articulating what she cannot and will not say. He is
also building the bridges and relationships that are the
lifeblood of politics and governance -- reaching out to the
Islamic groups, businessmen and the media. Can the spouse of the
President make a difference? Can a newly democratizing Indonesia
possibly allow a return to feudal politics?

Taufik's natural charm will certainly help him. However, like
the Mafioso gangland boss, Taufik also gives the impression of a
man whose moral compass is shaky. Moreover his influence is
limited. The President is stubborn as hell and as with all
husbands there are times when he fails to persuade her to do
something -- a case in point being the President's refusal to
attend the purification ceremonies in Kuta, Bali on Nov. 15.

Still, Ibu Mega's indecision and impenetrable silences as well
as her inability and disinclination to build relationships with
key figures in Indonesian public life will mean that pak Taufik's
role will continue to grow: This Indonesian "Soprano" will be
running for a few more seasons yet.

This article first appeared in the Business Times.