Posted on: Tuesday, July 24, 2001

Editorial
Special interests must step aside in Indonesia

In some ways, the vote to oust Indonesia President Abdurrahman Wahid by that nation's national assembly is a signal that democracy is taking root in that troubled country.

Wahid, the first democratically elected president of Indonesia in more than four decades, was voted out of office for misrule and incompetence. This wasn't a military coup; it was a vote by the duly constituted legislative authority.

That's the good news. But it is also true that Wahid was the victim of more than his own incompetence. He led a vigorous campaign against corruption and worked tirelessly to reduce the influence of the powerful Indonesian military.

In so doing, he made numerous enemies among the politically and military powerful who were only too happy to see Wahid replaced by Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of founding leader Sukarno.

Sukarnoputri is enormously popular in Indonesia, a legacy of lingering national affection for her father. But her role to date has been largely symbolic; little is known of her politics or strategy for dealing with Indonesia's huge economic and sectarian difficulties.

Indonesia specialist Richard Baker of the East-West Center here suggests Sukarnoputri's presidency will succeed only if the nation's political and military elite put the country ahead of their own ambitions and needs.

For starters, that means allowing the new president to appoint a professional, competent cabinet that is not tied to special interests.

There is plenty of talent in Indonesia to compose such a cabinet, but it must compete against those who see the national leadership as a means to pursue their own interests or hold back the interests of others.

Indonesia has already endured too much of this in-fighting. It cannot afford more.

"The difficulty has been that the overall political system has compromised and ultimately stifled much of the good that some of the more capable and nationally oriented advisers have been trying to pursue," Baker said.

Sukarnoputri should be able to inspire considerable national attention and affection in the days to come. If she can parlay that popular sentiment into the strength needed to stand up to divisive special interests, she may be able to begin the process of restoring much-needed stability.

The United States should support her in this effort.