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