Taufik Kiemas' role set to grow

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"She's withdrawn: That's her."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.