Analysts criticize Gus Dur's stance on interpellation<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Political observers slammed President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid's performance at Thursday's interpellation at
\nthe House of Representatives, saying he missed a golden
\nopportunity to boost his public image and reconcile his political
\ndifferences with the legislature.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Institute of Sciences political analyst Ikrar Nusa
\nBakti said that instead of clearing things up, the President's
\nanswers only prolonged the "dispute" between himself and the
\nHouse.<\/p>\n
Ikrar asserted that Abdurrahman seemed to miss a very simple
\npoint raised by the House, which was to prove whether he was
\nlying when he said he dismissed two economic ministers because of
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
Instead of answering questions about the dismissals,
\nAbdurrahman instead launched an attack against the House and said
\nthe interpellation was unconstitutional.<\/p>\n
"Although it is true that there are different views about the
\nlegality of the interpellation motion, it is the Supreme Court
\nwhich has the right of judicial review and to compare the law
\nwith the 1945 Constitution, not the President," he remarked.<\/p>\n
Ikrar lamented that the outcome of Thursday's proceedings
\nwould only create an "unhealthy" domestic atmosphere. He asserted
\nthat Abdurrahman should have made better use of this opportunity.<\/p>\n
Similarly, an observer from the Centre for Strategic and
\nInternational Studies, J. Kristiadi, said Abdurrahman should have
\nused the momentum to tone down the differences of opinion between
\nhimself and the House.<\/p>\n
"Gus Dur should have used the opportunity to win back the
\npublic's heart, and somehow apologize for his possible misconduct
\nin dismissing the two ministers," Kristiadi said, referring to
\nAbdurrahman by his nickname.<\/p>\n
He said the likely outcome of Thursday's events was that the
\npublic would perceive the President's actions as a move to muffle
\nlegislators who were asserting their rights.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, Gadjah Mada University political observer
\nRiswandha Imawan said Abdurrahman simply chose not to reply to
\nthe House's questions.<\/p>\n
"And, as usual, he even created a new problem by questioning
\nthe House's constitutional right on the interpellation motion. It
\nwould be much easier if he said 'I'm sorry,'" Riswandha said.<\/p>\n
Political observer Nana Sutikna of Jendral Soedirman
\nUniversity in Purwokerto concurred. "This is Gus Dur's habit. He
\nseems to feel he is the only one that can do no wrong ... just
\nlike Soeharto, who never wanted to apologize for what he did."<\/p>\n
Gadjah Mada University rector Ichlasul Amal also slammed
\nAbdurrahman for not being honest and straightforward in revealing
\nthe reasons behind the dismissals of ministers Laksamana Sukardi
\nand Jusuf Kalla in April.<\/p>\n
"This is not the era of political secrecy. His political
\ninfluence and popularity will drop.<\/p>\n
"Abdurrahman's reasoning for not disclosing everything was
\npolitically weak, as there is no clear classification of what may
\nbe called a 'state secret,'" Ichlasul said.<\/p>\n
In Bandung, constitutional law expert Bagir Manan of
\nPadjadjaran University said Abdurrahman's move to question the
\nconstitutional validity of interpellation was irrelevant.<\/p>\n
"A country is not only ruled by its constitution, but also its
\nlaws and regulations," Bagir said.<\/p>\n
University of Indonesia political scientist Arbi Sanit was one
\nof the few who saw a silver lining in the whole affair. He
\nclaimed the President's responses were strategic answers that
\nwould improve the image of the House and the President.<\/p>\n
He said that throughout the interpellation, the rupiah
\nstrengthened and the market reacted positively. "It was the most
\nstrategic move for himself, while at the same time it did not
\nundermine the House, did not ruin its public image and increased
\nthe value of rupiah." (25\/44\/45\/swa\/edt\/jun\/dja\/)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/analysts-criticize-gus-durs-stance-on-interpellation-1447893297",
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