Record detailed

Title

B.J. Habibie was an unlikely and much-criticized president. But he helped make Indonesia a better place

Language

ind

Source

Asiaweek, 14 Oktober 1999

Subject

1. Habibie
2. Help
3. Indonesia
4. President
5. Unlikely

Annotation

Oct. 14, 1999 was the day B.J. Habibie argued for his place in history. That day, he gave his lengthy accountability speech to the policy-making People`s Consultative Assembly (MPR), defending his record as Indonesia`s president for 17 months. Over the next few days, Habibie at quietly and listened attentively as each of 11 MPR factions delivered their critical appraisal of his self-appraisal. Then, in the time allocated to him, he laboriously rebutted them, point by point. Why? Because he thought people were actually weighing the content of his administration, not its character. Yet backroom wheeling and dealing were taking place in and around the MPR to forge a future without him. In the end, Habibie`s speech was narrowly rejected 355 to 322, implying rejection of the man himself. Habibie was forced to withdraw from the presidential race. "I have done everything within my capabilities," he said, "but it was not enough."

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