Vote for credible leaders: Megawati

Vote for credible leaders: Megawati

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Despite a lack of promising national leaders to contest the 2004
direct presidential election, President Megawati Soekarnoputri
has urged Indonesians to exercise their right to vote in the
polls.

In her year-end speech on Wednesday, she said the upcoming
election was a milestone for the country's more democratic future
and that the public should play its part to the full.

"I know that it is not easy to choose credible leaders, but no
matter how difficult it is, the public should make their choices
with full awareness," the President said.

"The public should also understand that their choices will
affect the country's policies, and, as a consequence, they have
to abide by decisions (produced in the future)," she added.

In her state address, the President also reminded people to
carefully evaluate legislative and presidential candidates
nominated by political parties in the 2004 elections.

She said that the upcoming elections were the time for the
public to reclaim their mandate in order to be the sole
determinant of the country's future.

"You should remember that the fate of the country is in your
hands, so choose those who can lead the country to a better and
more secure future," Megawati said.

The country will hold its first-ever direct presidential
election this year in two rounds -- the first on July 5 and the
second on Sept. 20.

It will be preceded by the general election on April 25, to
elect legislators nominated by 24 political parties that were
recently declared eligible to contest the polls.

However, concern is growing that many Indonesians will not
exercise their voting right in the elections due to an absence of
suitable and prominent leaders to vote for.

Megawati is determined to seek reelection through the
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, challenging other
presidential candidates like People's Consultative Assembly
Speaker Amien Rais, former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid,
ex-military chief Gen. (ret) Wiranto and others.

She has drawn frequent condemnation from her own supporters
and many others who are extremely disappointed at her poor
leadership in running the country.

Several surveys have indicated a decrease in support for
Megawati in the upcoming elections, as critics have accused her
of practicing authoritarian rule.

Megawati added she was optimistic that the coming year would
bring a better future for the country, although a lot of problems
remained unresolved.

She said that with the recent establishment of the Corruption
Eradication Commission the nation should hope for an end to
graft, blamed for the country's prolonged crisis.

"The commission has full authority to eradicate corruption. We
must support and help its members in carrying out their duties,"
the President said.

However, analysts and activists lost hope for the commission
after several favorite candidates, including Marsilam Simanjuntak
and Bambang Widjojanto, were excluded as members.

Megawati also said the suspended plan to establish a truth and
reconciliation commission would be another breakthrough in
resolving some long-standing political problems.

"We need such a commission so we can move forward and bury the
hatchet," she said.