Well said, Megawati
Well said, Megawati
Although it is still too early to determine public opinion,
Megawati Soekarnoputri's long-awaited policy address, delivered
on Thursday at her party's headquarters in Jakarta, is certain to
assuage the fears of many of her critics concerning her
intentions, personal leanings and capability to serve as this
nation's leader.
Breaking a silence that seemed like an eternity to many, the
chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) sought to dispel many critics' doubts that, if given
the chance to lead the nation after the presidential elections in
November, she would, either through political orthodoxy or sheer
incapability, effectively stand in the way of progress and
democratic reform.
She chose to remain silent, she said, to allow the cacophony
of complaints, opinions, political offensives and intrigues to
settle -- a stratagem that she said enabled her to listen, sort
out the options available and decide on the most appropriate
course to take. And listen she apparently did.
To her Muslim critics, Megawati gave the assurance that far
from neglecting the interests of the country's Muslim population,
which she acknowledged as being the overwhelming majority, a
government under her leadership would act to enhance the quality
of services related to religious worship, for Muslims and
adherents of other faiths alike. As an example, she mentioned the
malfeasance prevailing in the haj pilgrimage services, corrupt
practices which she pledged to bring to an end.
The military's dual function, which has made it the country's
all-powerful force in politics as well as in security and
defense, will be phased out, albeit gradually over a period of
five to six years. It is in accordance with what is popularly
referred to as the "Ciganjur Accord", signed earlier this year by
Megawati and three more of the country's most prominent leaders
-- Amien Rais, Abdurrahman Wahid and Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of
Yogyakarta.
In a convincing sign of her sincerity in resisting any
militaristic inclinations in the future, Megawati called on the
present transitional administration of President B.J. Habibie to
forestall debate in the House of Representatives on a government-
sponsored bill on national security, which she said would
threaten the observance of human rights and civilian authority
over the military.
The investigation of corruption, collusion and nepotism
allegedly committed by former president Soeharto would be pursued
"though with justice". Indeed, reestablishing the principle of
equal justice for all will be a priority of her government's
agenda, given that it is one of the preconditions on which the
good functioning of practically every other aspect of life,
public and private, depends.
A similar readiness to accommodate popular demands can be seen
in Megawati's willingness to consider amending the 1945
Constitution, which many critics consider a document that
facilitates authoritarian rule, although not its preamble, in
which the fundamental unifying state philosophy of Pancasila is
contained.
In brief, Megawati's speech, her first since her party's
convincing victory in last June's general election, gives every
indication not only that our presidential candidate is able and
willing to listen to different views, but that she has enough
statesmanship to accept the truth when convinced by others.
It is a comforting thought, considering that Megawati controls
the fierce loyalty of millions of grassroots Indonesians. What
remains to be done is to ensure the support of allies in her
upcoming bid for the presidency. One signal that she may be ready
to take this step at this stage is her invitation to "all reform-
minded parties" to close ranks and work together to build a "new
Indonesia".
As president, she would no longer be merely the leader of her
own party, but of all political parties and all Indonesians. In
general, Megawati's first policy address is a positive
contribution toward clearing up the cloud of concern and
uncertainty that hovered over the Indonesian political landscape
for weeks. Well said, Ibu Mega.