The new Megawati era
The nation should be grateful that the transition of power from Abdurrahman Wahid to Megawati Soekarnoputri has been relatively smoother than anticipated, without violence and more significantly, without loss of life.
It is only to be regretted that the outgoing and outvoted Abdurrahman Wahid, during his last hours of his presidency, turned from being a democrat into a dictator, by issuing a decree declaring the nation to be in a state of emergency and ordering security forces to dissolve the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly. A true democrat should know how to win a political battle, but he also should learn how to accept defeat with a big heart.
The new President, Megawati, while politically will face practically no opposition, but face economic problems as a legacy of former administrations, will be the hardest nut to crack. She may perhaps face an "impossible mission" to satisfy the various regions wishing to have a greater share of the national pie.
Social issues like unemployment and the refugee problem, health and education are no less complicated to solve on a national scale. The new Cabinet, while allowing space for a political coalition to ensure legislative backing must consist of men and women imbued with the spirit of service to the community, be politically idealistic and above all be honest figures who are determined to stick to their principles. However, corruption is something that cannot be eradicated in one or two generations. And Megawati and her Cabinet must at any minute guard themselves against this devil trap.
While the whole nation, especially the female part of the population, surely and heartily wish her all success in embarking on a new task and on shouldering new responsibilities, she must be constantly reminded that the enemies are those who start the habit of whispering and bootlicking for her favor.
To govern the fourth most populated country in the world living in a vast archipelago as Indonesia with its cultural diversities, with such diversity of interests and human characters, is actually a gigantic assignment nobody should under-estimate. Except for the huge amount of foreign debt burden which is an immensely long task to lessen, apparently the international community, business and financial, will now have greater trust in Indonesia's human resources and management skill.
It is proper that the people are pinning great hopes to the new leaders in the Megawati era to bring some more prosperity to their life. They may rightfully hope for the best but they should also prepare for the worst. After all, this is Indonesia, a very special place for politicians.
GANDHI SUKARDI
Jakarta