Newly elected People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Taufik Kiemas should undergo intensive training in public speaking to avoid mistakes similar to those he made while chairing the inauguration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, political observers said.
University of Indonesia (UI) political expert Maswadi Rauf said Wednesday that Indonesia had lost face in front of foreign leaders because of the mistakes.
"The MPR secretariat should thoroughly evaluate the mistakes and train Taufik all over again.
They should also emphasise that such mistakes should never again occur at such an official event," he said.
Having managed to successfully address the President by his full name at the beginning of the ceremony, Taufik addressed him by several of his own variations on Yudhoyono's full name and doctorate title, after the President had taken his oath.
Taufik addressed him as "Susilo Doctor Bambang Yudhoyono", which was greeted with laughter from lawmakers and guests attending the inauguration.
As Taufik was about to close the ceremony, another mistake was made. He missed the word "Bambang", addressing the President as "Susilo Yudhoyono".
Taufik also made a number of errors when addressing B.J. Habibie, the country's third president.
Taufik, chief patron of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), was elected as MPR speaker a week ago.
Eva Kusuma Sundari, a PDI-P lawmaker, said Taufik's mistakes were understandable because he rarely makes public addresses and is recognized as someone who works "behind the scenes".
She said that she had witnessed Taufik being trained to read the speech with proper articulation and tone of voice at least three times.
"The mistakes were very human. I understand his nervousness. It wouldn't be easy for Taufik to speak in front of everybody as he usually stays behind the scenes, planning things out," she said.
For years, Taufik has been widely recognized as one of the PDI-P's toughest lobbyists. He, for example, was believed to be the architect behind the attempt to unite the PDI-P and the Democratic Party under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono several months ago during the legislative election process.
At the time, he spoke publicly that there was nothing wrong with the idea of uniting the parties.
"At the end of the day, we share the common goal of to developing the nation. I see no problem in uniting the parties," he said.
However, a party source said Taufik's move was stopped by his wife and party chairwoman, Megawati.
Megawati insisted that the PDI-P would in no way join the Democratic Party.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|