Vice President

From Bisnis Indonesia

While watching Wawancara Interaktif (Interactive Interview) on TV on June 28, 2001, featuring Fachri Ali and Fahmi Idris, I got the impression that Fahmi Idris was against the idea of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono becoming the next vice president. Fahmi said that Susilo was not from a political party so he didn't have access to the legislature, which gave him the honor of running the government.

A wise leader is one fully aware that power is a special mandate bestowed by God to be carried out to the best of one's ability for the utmost benefit of the people.

If the vice president is chosen from a political party, it is feared he or she will be unable to run the government effectively due to the following reasons: 1. There will be a feeling of envy from other parties whose nominees failed to become vice president. 2. There will be some disruption or interference in the legislature's control. 3. There will be some disruption in the synergy between the president and vice president as the vice president, due to activities related to his/her party, will be unable to fully focus his/her attention on the job.

Therefore, it will be best if the next vice president does not come from a political party. Susilo is viewed by many as unemotional and intelligent. In other words, he has the qualities required to be a leader.

Fahmi Idris' disapproval of Susilo is based on one simple reason: once Susilo is elected vice president, with his qualities it is hoped that he will be able to work hand in hand with the president to free our nation from crisis. This achievement would likely usher him to the helm in 2004 (most probably he would win the support of Ibu Mega and her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle).

This would, of course, be a blow to the Golkar Party, ruining its plans of capturing the presidency in 2004.

A. ARIFIN

Jakarta