Source : NEWSWEEK - the international newsmagazine, June 21, 1999
Why do Megawati and Habibie both need these man?
Amien Rais, 54, May have done poorly in last week's elections-winning less
than 10% of the votes-but the fates of both Megawati Sukarnoputri and
President B.J.Habibie will nonetheless turn on his next move.
The democratic Islamic politician was "down and confused" as he watched the
returns, says top aide Bara Krishna Hasibuan, and "didn't know what to do."
That was until he realized that everybody needs him.
To Megawati and current president Habibie alike, Amien is a bridge to
Indonesia's Islamic world. The Chicago-trained political scientist earned
himself a name as an Islamic fire-brand in the 1980s by struggling against
Suharto's repression of Muslims' political and cultural aspirations.
He has gradually moderated his views: ignoring the opposition of more
conservative Muslim supporters, Amien last year formed the National Mandate
Party and opened it to Indonesians of all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
By midweek, Amien was already "springing back" from his embarrassing
setback, Bara says. So far, he is playing hard to get. Amien knows well that
his support could win over orthodox Muslims who are skeptical of Megawati's
secular, Javanese version of Islam. Amien could also help hold the country
together: he has credibility in the regions clamoring for independence since
he has expressed sympathy for their causes.
Without Amien's support, a Megawati-led government could have trouble
soothing ethnic tensions between Muslim Indonesians and ethnic-Chinese
Christians.
Desperate for a new alliance, Golkar is wooing Amien, too.
That party's chairman, Akbar Tanjung, asked Amien last week if he would join
Golkar if the party dumped Habibie. The answer: NO-"at this point," says
Bara.
Amien, who rigorously supported anti-Suharto student protesters and played a
crucial role in the strongman's downfall, plans to "continue to act as a
swing party," says Bara.
That should keep plenty of people knocking on his door.
Regard,
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