Why nepotistic?

Why nepotistic?

Ms. Donna Woodward's letter printed in the Oct. 3 edition of
The Jakarta Post once again allowed her to assume a position atop
her well-worn soap-box; this time to launch into a critique of
Ilham Habibie's recent participation in an official trade mission
to Taiwan. Seemingly, Ms. Woodward's view is that because Ilham
is the son of President Habibie this is a prima facie case for a
return to the nepotistic and power-abusive practices of the past.

While I have no desire to challenge Ms. Woodward's self-
appointed role as dispenser of "instant analysis" on all things
Indonesian, her most recent diatribe is both unfair and
unbalanced.

President Habibie is an extremely well-educated engineer who,
together with his wife, a respected medical doctor, have
instilled their children with an understanding of the value of a
good education. Their son Ilham, who led the delegation to
Taiwan, is also a respected engineer who holds postgraduate
degrees from foreign universities and is affiliated to the
nation's high-tech brain trust, IPTN, in Bandung.

For Ms. Woodward's charge of nepotism in this instance to
stick, she must prove that Ilham Habibie is both unqualified for
his role in the delegation and will somehow profit personally
from that participation. In fact, I would contend that a
delegation going abroad in these difficult times to seek
partnerships in the area of high technology only benefits from
the participation of someone of Mr. Ilham Habibie's background
and expertise. Moreover, his ability to speak with great
understanding of the various programs of IPTN, ranging from
aeronautics to computer technologies to ship-building, could only
help contribute to the potential success of such a mission. Did
the mission or the country somehow suffer by the added prestige
of this young man's lineage? Au contraire, Ms. Woodward.

In the words of the illustrious Joe Friday, I say to Ms.
Woodward: "Just the facts, ma'am."

JOHN M. DANIELS

Denpasar, Bali