Women know best how to criticize

JAKARTA (JP): The Reform faction is perhaps the staunchest critic of President Abdurrahman Wahid. That's why they picked a woman to read out their stinging response to the President's progress report on Tuesday, Reform faction speaker Nurdiati Akmal said on Friday.

Nurdiati said her faction figured their statement would create a furor.

"To keep the situation cool and to prevent animosity from people objecting to our statement, including the President, a woman was selected to read it," Nurdiati said.

The faction dealt a big blow to Abdurrahman by questioning his capability of continuing his five-year tenure. Nurdiati said a woman was perfect for delivering such a harsh remark, due to her maternal instincts.

"However, I don't know if the strategy worked or not," she added. (dja)