SUPPOSING Megawati Sukarnoputri had been diligently writing a column in the mass media since being elected president in July 2001, then it would be possible to gain a wider sympathetic following in the presidential election on July 5.

Megawati has certainly been doing a lot of things during the campaign season that she wouldnt normally do. In the past she has seldom written anything in the papers and just as seldom has she relished the prospect of