Vice President

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