Governor plans to celebrate Gus Dur's win<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso warmly welcomed on
\nWednesday noted Muslim figure Abdurrahman Wahid as the country's
\nnew President for the next five years, saying he planned to hold
\na mass gathering to celebrate the smooth and safe process of the
\nGeneral Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).<\/p>\n
\"The gathering may be held at City Hall or at the National
\nMonument (Monas) park as soon as the Assembly is over,\" Sutiyoso
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The two places are located next to each other on Jl. Medan
\nMerdeka in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He said that he would also invite leaders of political parties
\nand informal leaders to the gathering.<\/p>\n
\"The gathering should of course be attended by any Jakartans.\"<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso was sure that the appointment of Abdurrahman as the
\ncountry's fourth President would not create further reaction from
\nsupporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan).<\/p>\n
Chairwoman of the party, Megawati Soekarnoputri, failed to win
\nthe presidential election at the People's Consultative Assembly
\nin the afternoon which later sparked tension in the capital.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso said the heated situation on Wednesday would not
\nworsen as another strong candidate in the election, who was
\nstrongly opposed by PDI Perjuangan supporters, resigned.<\/p>\n
The governor did not offer a name, but probably referred to
\nB.J. Habibie from the Golkar Party.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso therefore called on Megawati supporters to
\nimmediately leave the streets, including the Hotel Indonesia
\ntraffic circle in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He also urged leaders of all political parties to calm their
\nrespective supporters.<\/p>\n
\"The presidential election was conducted in a democratic way.
\nWe should all learn how to accept a loss,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Like many government buildings across the country, there were
\nno activities at the Jakarta administration office.<\/p>\n
Employees used the day to watch live broadcasts of the
\npresidential process from available television sets.<\/p>\n
Sutiyoso arrived an hour late to inaugurate a student sport
\ncontingent as he was watching the election.<\/p>\n
The governor said on Tuesday that a state of civil emergency
\nwould possibly be applied if the situation in the city became
\nchaotic.<\/p>\n
\"We may declare a state of civil emergency if the situation
\ngrows worse. We have the procedures to apply the state of
\nemergency law,\" he said.<\/p>\n
However, he said that a state of civil emergency should be
\nconsidered only as a last resort. (jun)<\/p>",
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