Why Megawati deserves another term

Why Megawati deserves another term

Ray Anthony Gerungan, Former Head, Equities Research for UBS Warburg Indonesia,
Jakarta

If real acheivements were rewarded with deserved gratitude,
then a proper "thank you" to President Megawati Soekarnoputri
should be a second term in office. Unfortunately, Indonesia has
been known to define its own interpretation of justice and thus
the merits of Megawati's widespread achievements may be left
unappreciated -- or at the very least, unrewarded.

It is a given that politicking will rule on Election Day and
an unqualified person (or persons) may find himself with a high-
ranking government position. Similarly, a highly competent person
may be looking for private sector employment come October 2004.

What is not a given is the magnitude of the imminent political
horsetrading, which we fear might influence the choice of the
next president.

A does not go by without numerous newspaper reports or
television interviews discussing the perceived numerous
shortcomings of Megawati's administration ranging from alleged
corruption to treacherously neglecting the reform movement.

Given the veracity of the reports and the disinclination to
view multiple sides of an issue, it would seem that a little more
than political badgering is too often involved. That said, I
would readily grant merit to the basis of these complaints, but I
would not forget the overriding issues that unfortunately
required a higher level of priority, namely the economy and
domestic security.

On both fronts, I would commend our President for a job well
done, and the great majority of governments, multilateral
organizations and pundits the world over would join me in my
praise for the work Megawati has done for Indonesia.

But the adulation our President receives overseas is somewhat
removed from the content of domestic news agencies -- not
necessarily right or wrong, its just a fact of life today. I do
not believe I would stray too far from the truth if I were to
speculate that if our presidential election were held today by
solely foreigners residing overseas, Megawati would win in a
landslide.

It should also not be understated as to how the President
handled the economic crisis. Three other presidents had the task
to take Indonesia out of economic crisis and failed to improve
the country. Indonesia may be still have a weaker economy vis-a-
vis mid-1997, but it is now in a much more stable position since
the crisis started with a distinctly higher probability for
continued improvement.

For example, how long has it been since anyone could actually
look at the rupiah versus the US dollar and say that Indonesia's
currency has been the better and more consistent performer over
the past two years? Two years?! And the outlook is still good.
Interestingly enough, this is about the same amount of time that
Megawati has been in power.

Her approach to domestic security and terrorism is equally
adept -- especially given the passionate level of personal
beliefs each Indonesian holds in regard to this issue.

Within two months of her presidency, Megawati was engulfed in
a New World Order regarding international terrorism and forced to
lead the nation with the world's largest Muslim population to an
acceptance of that order. Again, two years after the fact,
Indonesia has not disintegrated into warring factions, has not
fallen to a Taliban-style government and, most importantly,
Indonesia still treasures its open society of tolerance for all
religions. As a Christian living in Jakarta, I am a living
testament to that fact.

Is this all due to the leadership of Megawati? Certainly, much
of the credit goes to the resilience and personal character of
all Indonesians, but Megawati certainly managed the country well
and made the proper decisions at a time of great difficulty.
History may judge her more affectionately than Indonesians do
today.

It would be great for Indonesia's next president to continue
improving the economy, ensuring domestic security, creating jobs
and encouraging higher levels of justice and fair play throughout
the land. There must be somebody out there other than Megawati
that can do the above, but up to now (around nine months before
the presidential election), he/she has yet to show the public
that they can do the job and, more importantly, how they will do
it.

Until then, I will lend my support to someone who has already
done the job for Indonesia over these past two years and hope
that politics does not rule next year, just Megawati.