Megawati, who in January and February withstood a wave of rallies to demand her resignation, has shown her clear antiwar stance to US President George W. Bush, despite the risk of disrupting relations between the two countries.

"Megawati's firm stance against the war is correct and deserves support from people in the country," People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais was quoted as saying.

Amien, chairman of the National Mandate Party and Megawati's possible competitor for the presidency in 2004, joined the mounting criticism against Megawati for her government's decision to increase fuel prices as well as the telephone and electricity rates earlier this year.

Another critic, Effendy Choiri from the National Awakening Party (PKB), also praised Megawati for her clear stance, but emphasized that she needed to follow up with more assertive action against the war.

"She could have created a better image as one of the world's leaders had she gone abroad to strengthen antiwar cooperation with other countries," Effendy said.

Indonesia, since the beginning of the crisis, has rejected any use of force to disarm Iraq and urged the United Nations to play the leading role in addressing the crisis.

Ahmad Syafii Maarif, chairman of Muhammadiyah, the country's second largest Muslim organization, also expressed his gratitude to Megawati's consistency in opposing the US military action against Iraq and called on the nation to throw its support behind her.

"Her bravery in defying President Bush has demonstrated her consistency in upholding a principle. It's time for Indonesians to adhere to the same stance," he said.

Political analyst Soedjati Djiwandono, however, believes that rejecting the war is the only option for Megawati, given the international and domestic circumstances.

"There is no other possible scenario for Megawati as the US policy is clearly against the international law," Soedjati said.

(Xinhua News Agency March 27, 2003)