Vice President's ability

Vice President's ability

For more than 30 years we were in the New Order regime. The
position for president at that time had huge authority. There was
almost absolute power in the president's hands. The position of
vice president did not mean more than being a substitute for the
president if he became incapable of carrying out his tasks.

Now we are in the reform era. We want to rebuild our country
for the better. We not only need a good president but also a good
vice president. Both must have a good knowledge of leadership so
that they can work harmoniously together.

The current President has shown his capacity as such and has
accomplished his job. We are still wondering about the Vice
President. What has she done? Frankly, I doubt her capabilities.
In this era of reform we do not want our Vice President to be
like the New Order's vice presidents, who contributed nothing to
the country.

A vice president should not merely be committed to attending
ceremonial events. The country cannot afford this kind of vice
president. Both the president and vice president should share the
responsibilities in handling the nation's problems, such as the
ethnic conflict in Maluku, violence in Irian Jaya, the Aceh issue
and so on.

MUHAMMAD RUSDI

Jakarta