July 23, 2001. Copyright, 2001, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Megawati sworn in as IndonesiaÕs new leader
By Elisabeth Ribbans

LONDON, July 23, Graphic News:  MEGAWATI SukarnoputriÕs many millions of supporters call her Òmother of the nationÓ. But the near-iconic position commanded by the new president of the worldÕs fourth most populous country derives almost entirely from being a daughter Ð the eldest daughter of Ahmed Sukarno, IndonesiaÕs founding father.

Three decades after his death, the first post-independence president remains a national hero, a status confirmed by the enthusiastic celebrations for his centenary in June. Although his rule ended in political and economic chaos, memory preserves him as the charming firebrand, ardent nationalist and gifted orator who freed Indonesia from centuries of Dutch rule.

Megawati, 53, may have inherited little of her fatherÕs passion or charisma but the late presidentÕs standing among a people hungry for inspirational leadership was transferred with a willingness whetted by a long wait.

Indonesia had laboured 20 years under the iron fist of General Suharto before Megawati re-emerged in 1987 Ð many say reluctantly Ð to speak out against the human rights abuses of his regime. Joining the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), the quiet housewife soon entered parliament and was elected party leader in 1993. But it was the governmentÕs attempt to lower MegawatiÕs rising profile Ð by sponsoring an internal party coup to remove her as leader Ð which catapulted her centre-stage.

In the riots that followed, Megawati became the symbol of opposition, a position reinforced by SuhartoÕs refusal to allow her wing of the now-divided party Ð the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Ð to contest elections the following year. With the dictatorÕs resignation in 1998, the PDI-P was officially recognised and went on to victory in the elections that followed. It should have been MegawatiÕs hour but, lacking an outright majority and unable to broker an alliance, she was forced to settle for the vice-presidency while Abdurrahman Wahid, a frail Muslim scholar and fellow opponent of Suharto, was installed as the countryÕs first democratic head in 40 years.

MegawatiÕs return to the presidential palace of her childhood, following the launch of impeachment proceedings against Wahid, will represent a hopeful homecoming for many of IndonesiaÕs 210 million people. But navigating a nation of 13,000 disparate islands out of poverty, economic turmoil, bloody ethnic strife and into an era of stable democracy is more than the work of one person. It will require a strong crew. Fortunately, the new president is said to be a strong team player and a good listener. Indeed, a better listener than talker. As second fiddle to the frail Wahid, she was most notably mute. Critics construed her silence and seeming lack of initiative as a sign of limited intelligence. Her followers called it modesty.

Much louder is SukarnoÕs younger daughter, Rachmawati, who has used her voice in recent weeks to attack PDI-P efforts to impeach President Wahid and to accuse the party of abusing her fatherÕs name. Lacking the crowdÕs mystical belief in her big sister, the feisty Rachmawati has made clear that she regards herself as their fatherÕs true political heir Ð a chapter in family and national history that for now must wait.

Those more supportive of the new president expect her rule to be characterised by integrity, consistency and a genuine striving for unity Ð although the model for that fellowship will almost certainly be of her fatherÕs nation-state brand in which separatists can expect few concessions. Federalism may not in her vocabulary but, after 21 months of reticence, it is time for Megawati Sukarnoputri to speak up.
/ENDS