E

ven though it is believed by some that Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri will now be more confident in becoming a presidential candidate 'as no one will stop her from seeking a third bid', I personally believe it will be very unwise of her if she decides to do so, as she will go down in ignominious defeat and very likely damage the interests of her own party in doing so.

I have heard it said several times, and in a contemptuous way, that Megawati's only real accomplishment was 'being the daughter of Sukarno, one of the nation's Founding Fathers.'

This is very painful indeed, but Megawati should accept the reality, no matter how unpleasant it is. The time for being an egoistic, obstinate, power-hungry leader has long since passed.

Megawati should be gracious and allow younger, more competent people to have a shot at becoming the next president. People who have truly great characters realize their limitations. Politicians who really have the best interests of the Indonesian people at heart should allow this country to be led by genuinely competent leaders whose main priority is to serve the people ' not by people of limited vision whose main interest is to satisfy their own voracious thirst for power.  Too much is at stake here ' the best interests and the future happiness of the Indonesian people.

Tami Koestomo
Bogor, West Java