Who supports Megawati?

Who supports Megawati?

Some press reports have recently attracted my attention, "The
people want Megawati as president. The main target at the House
of Representatives (DPR) is to make Megawati president."
"Whatever happens, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) must see to it that Megawati becomes president
in accordance with the people's message and the decision of the
fifth congress in Bali in 1998. There is no bargaining in this
matter. The target cannot be negotiated."

The following questions arise. "What people?" The people who
voted for PDI Perjuangan? The people constituting the floating
mass? The marhaen people? The Indonesian people under the poverty
line, numbering 49.5 million at the end of 1998? Or is it the
intention of speaking on behalf of the whole population of
206,781,904 people?

Considering the meaning of the word "people" above and the
admission that the victory in the general election is not
absolute, it is estimated there are only 38,089,077 such people.
A smaller number than the total poor people referred to above.
Compared to the entire population it is only 18.42 percent. Even
with 200 seats the fight will be extra tough at the coming
General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). TVRI
often states, "The president is an indigenous Indonesian. The
president and the vice president are elected by the MPR by a
majority vote" (Article 6, No. 1 and 2 of the 1945 Constitution).
This article did not function for more than 30 years. The New
Order culture of a candidate without alternative is the result of
a lot of engineering.

If the number of seats at the next MPR is 700, the strength of
the votes in the General Session is only 28.57 percent (200
seats). PDI Perjuangan voters like those in the floating mass
should really understand the rules. Also, the fanatics who made
their pledge with blood. It is advisable to anticipate in this
early stage that a number of great hopes will not be fulfilled.
The best choice is to be wise, patient and to show restraint.
Fanaticism is a human right but it should not sacrifice the
struggle for life with regard to family, parents, relatives,
friends, neighbors, work colleagues and other people. Unity and
cohesion of the nation should be considered.

SUNGKOWO SOKAWERA

Bandung