“Megawati back in the game” was the headline that began our week. A poll by the Indonesian Survey Circle, the LSI, found the former president got 20.7 percent of respondents’ support when they were asked who they would vote for if a presidential election was held today. The choices comprised the candidates officially nominated by political parties — which explains why the top scorer in the poll only scored so low a level of support.

The second place went to Golkar chairman Aburizal Bakrie with 20.3 percent, followed by chief patron of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and former Army Special Forces (Kopassus) chief Prabowo Subianto. At distant fourth came Wiranto, the former Indonesian Military (TNI) commander and chairman of the People’s Conscience Party (Hanura).

Actually the bulk of the respondents’ support went to the man they named best VP candidate — Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo or “Jokowi” — the current “man of the people”, who as Surakarta mayor was named the world’s third-best mayor by an independent group, World Mayors. His popularity explains why a headline the next day claimed Megawati Soekarnoputri’s party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), was mulling nominating Jokowi as a presidential candidate. Also this month, a social media observer, Indekspolitika, revealed that Jokowi was supported by almost 65 percent of netizens to run for president.

And where was Mr. President? He was way down in the “others” group — which is why his latest lament about a suspected coup d’etat has become a butt of jokes like his other gripes. We will see next week how the rumored “ghost of a coup” will materialize, and whether it will turn out to be anything stronger than a massive demonstration as some claim. Just watch out for the traffic.

Given all the corruption cases engulfing the Democratic Party, co-founded by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, it will be good news if their extraordinary congress in Bali next week results in a leader who really raises hopes. A new figure to replace former party chairman Anas Urbaningrum might not only help brush up the party’s image, but also inspire hope amid the country’s dearth of leaders.

The fire late Thursday at the State Secretariat was the latest in what seems like bad omens for the current presidency. Suspicions rose as to who was trying to burn what, while the likely culprit is most probably substandard electricity installations, either due to neglect or again, corruption.

Expressions of gratitude, as always, to those who bring us good news – Liliyana Natsir and Tontowi Ahmad won the All England mixed doubles badminton championship this week, beating China’s Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei. It was a good indication of the new management of the Indonesian Badminton Association under Gita Wirjawan.

Another piece of hopeful news came — finally — from soccer, as the extraordinary congress of the Soccer Association of Indonesia (PSSI) unified the disputing parties. Under stronger leadership we may see an end to the chronic dismal performances of our soccer team — and the tragic deaths of foreign players supposed to boost our game, but who instead face poverty and illness.

On international politics, Indonesians were among those watching US President Barack Obama’s visit to Israel. But those familiar with the uproar accompanying each attempted evacuation of illegal squatters in our cities cannot comprehend peace arrangement efforts, as Israeli settlements in the West Bank continue to stare negotiatiors in the face.

What might have been a very soft diplomatic approach on the US part could in no way be accepted by Palestinians — and the many Indonesians who sympathize with them. Wednesday’s visit to the Presidential Palace by the special envoy of the Middle East diplomatic quartet on the Middle East, Tony Blair, will hopefully make a difference one day — at least in reminding our President of the need to clean up his own act, so the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation can contribute to world diplomacy and efforts to bring peace to the region.

But to make a mark on global peace surely one needs credibility. The House of Representatives is about to deliberate revisions to the Criminal Code which are raising concerns about their impact on minorities and civil rights — and witch hunting.

The latter issue refers to punishments for those who claim to practice or who encourage black magic. Stories of evil-doers using black magic hover around us on a daily basis. But to prove such a crime in court, we fear, would waste much time and energy. In another potential waste of funds, legislators plan to travel to Europe as part of a “comparative study” before deliberating the planned clause on witchcraft.

When it comes to the spiritual world, people here need more of those honed in communication with the divine to spread their goodness, like the expectations of the new Pope Francis.

Back to the dearth of leaders, it is not surprising that singer Ashanty has voiced her support for her husband, composer Anang Hermansyah, as the best candidate for the next East Java governor — though not many others are so sure about his public service capabilities. But — who knows ...

— Ati Nurbaiti

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