Megawati's Second Chance

Fifteen months ago, Megawati Sukar-noputri complained of being cheated of Indonesia's presidency by an indirect electoral system and Islamic clerics who claimed women could not lead. Now the popular Megawati, whose consolation prize was the vice-presidency, has a new shot at power. President Abdurrahman Wahid faces possible impeachment on two corruption charges, plus the withdrawal of support by the coalition of parties that elected him in October, 1999. If Megawati makes the right moves, she'll have a chance to run for the presidency again in less than six months. And she'll have a stronger chance of winning this time.

Megawati is playing her hand carefully. While not publicly calling for Wahid's resignation, she is working quietly behind the scenes to build the political support necessary to succeed him. In late January, sources say she and her aides began meeting privately with key Muslim leaders and army generals who are eager for Wahid to resign. And then on Feb. 5, leaders of her Indonesian Democratic Struggle Party met with leaders of the eight Islamic parties that form Wahid's Central Axis coalition to discuss possible ways to rush ahead with a snap presidential election before the unwieldy impeachment process is over. Among the party leaders was Amien Rais, speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly, the body responsible for electing the President. He is backing Megawati.