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Megawati Gives SBY Cold Shoulder
Ferry Irwanto | June 01, 2009

Stickers depicting the presidential candidates at Pasar Senen, Jakarta, on Sunday. The three candidates will officially start campaigning on Tuesday. (Photo: Safir Makki, JG) Stickers depicting the presidential candidates at Pasar Senen, Jakarta, on Sunday. The three candidates will officially start campaigning on Tuesday. (Photo: Safir Makki, JG)
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VJ82
3:34pm Oct 20, 2009

Megawati, who allows her EQ controls her IQ.

No way she's gonna make her a good president.

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Former President Megawati Sukarnoputri was criticized on Sunday for failing the day before to respect the office of the president after she appeared to twice snob incumbent president and bitter political rival Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairwoman has never forgiven her former Coordinating Minister for Security Affairs for running against her in 2004, but the depth of her displeasure was apparent for all to see as the General Elections Commission (KPU) drew the campaign numbers for the three presidential candidates on Saturday. It was the first time Megawati, who drew No. 1 and only recently began the process of reconciliation with fellow presidential candidate Vice President Jusuf Kalla of Golkar, has been seen in public with Yudhoyono since 2004.

Prior to the drawing, the candidates greeted one another and shook hands but it was Yudhoyono who had to approach Megawati after she had shaken hands with the other candidates. Her expression during the handshake was described as a “cold smile.”

Tjipta Lesmana, a political communications analyst from the University of Indonesia, said Megawati’s attitude was impolite.

“Whether you like it or not, Yudhoyono is still our president: your president; my president. We should respect him. Megawati should respect him by approaching him first,” he said, adding that Megawati acted as if she were Yudhoyono’s superior.

The second apparent breach of protocol came after a photo opportunity in which the candidates displayed their campaign numbers.

Megawati turned to leave the other candidates again without shaking Yudhoyono’s hand. It was only when she was urged to by the gathered media that she turned and did so, although the duration of the handshake was much shorter than the first and this time she did not smile at all.

Maswadi Rauf, a political analyst from the University of Indonesia, said the handshakes were “insincere” and “unnatural.” “That’s why they didn’t mean a lot.”

Maswadi said the two only shook hands because the commission asked them to do so. “I could see their awkward body language, especially on the part of Megawati,” he said.

There was no personal animosity, however, on display when Yudhoyono met Kalla, with the men kissing each other on both cheeks.

Not everything went badly for Megawati, who drew the coveted No. 1 — the position she will appear on the ballot papers — with Yudhoyono No. 2 and Kalla third.

After the event, Fadli Zon, the secretary-general of the Megawati and Prabowo campaign team said the No. 1 was appropriate for the pair.

“This is a sign that we will finish No. 1. That is what we hope and now I am sure of it,” Fadli said, adding that they had expected to draw the top number.

Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party deputy chairman Anas Urbaningrum said that 2 was a numerical inspiration for Yudhoyono and Boediono. “[No. 2] is suitable for our motto, which is “Continue!” Two also means we will win a second term in office,” he said.

Kalla’s Golkar Party senior executive Priyo Budi Santoso saw it differently. He believed No. 1 was the past, No. 2 was the present and No. 3 was the future.

“Anyway, three is the highest number, the biggest one,” he said.