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Megawati's personal and political evolution, combined with Suharto's persecution, has enabled poor Indonesians to identify with her as someone who, like themselves, suffered under the old regime. "It's a mutual understanding among victims," says a western diplomat. "That's the core of her strength now." Her public standing may initially have rested on her connection with her father, but over the years she has earned respect as a woman who can hold a crowd and who sticks to her principles. "At first she was used by the PDI to collect votes, because of the image of Sukarno," says former Environment Minister Sarwono Kusumaatmadja. "Then it turned out that she had charisma of her own."
Suharto's crackdown on Megawati was a turning point in her career. Overnight, she became a martyr to many Indonesians and a household name around the world. "Suharto tried to make her an un-person, but he created a hero," says Aristides Katoppo, senior editor of the daily newspaper Suara Pembaruan. President B.J. Habibie has continued to recognize the Surjadi faction, now led by veteran parliamentarian Budi Harjono, as the "real" PDI. The government argues that to do otherwise would call into question the constitutionality of all the legislation rubber-stamped by PDI representatives along with the rest of parliament since Megawati's ouster. But that approach has only helped to reinforce the image of Megawati as the underdog.
Late last month, Megawati's PDI began outlining its policy platform, which calls for the creation of an independent judiciary and the revival of democratic institutions. The party also set forth its approach to restructuring the country's shaky banking sector and its $72 billion in private-sector foreign debt. More detail is expected to emerge from the PDI's national congress this week in Bali, at which Megawati is likely to repeat her adamant call for judicial independence. "We have to restore confidence," says Laksamana. "People won't feel confident unless they are protected by law."
For now, the May elections are a distant concern for the many Indonesians struggling to cope with a severe economic downturn. Even if Megawati wins the presidency with a strong mandate, it won't be easy leading such a large, volatile country out of hardship. Says Sarwono: "She will have to provide the people with a lot of plausible scapegoats--and there are plenty of them--to explain who caused the suffering." If so, there are tough times ahead for Suharto and his cronies.
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