Govt to hold elections: Amien<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Leading opposition figure Amien Rais has claimed
\nthat President B.J. Habibie told him that elections would be held
\nwithin 12 months.<\/p>\n
Amien, who met with Habibie at his private residence in
\nKuningan, South Jakarta, on Saturday, revealed the results of the
\nmeeting to journalists last night, saying that the President had
\nresponded affirmatively about the possibility of elections.<\/p>\n
\"'Well between 6 months to a year.' That is exactly what he
\nsaid!\" Amien cited Habibie as saying.<\/p>\n
\"Come on, how can I stay until 2003. I am only staying to
\nprepare for an election of a new MPR\/DPR which is truly chosen by
\nthe people, and after that I'm done,\" Amien again quoted Habibie.<\/p>\n
Also present during the one-hour meeting with Habibie were
\nnoted scholar Nurcholis Madjid, lawyer Adnan Buyung Nasution and
\nformer cabinet ministers Emil Salim and Rudini.<\/p>\n
Amien said Habibie invited him and the others to the meeting
\nto be asked to establish an independent body to recommend
\nproposals for reforms.<\/p>\n
Amien told journalists yesterday that he would not join the
\nbody since it would be more effective \"if I stay outside\", adding
\nthat if he joined, there could be an impression that he was being
\ncoopted.<\/p>\n
Many observers have asserted that Habibie, sworn in to replace
\nSoeharto on Thursday, should hold elections soon so that a new
\npresident and vice president can be appointed.<\/p>\n
Amien, a core figure in the reform movement which brought down
\nSoeharto, has been one of the most vocal in demanding elections.<\/p>\n
He claimed that Habibie assured him that he would publicly
\nannounce that his administration was merely a transitional
\ngovernment within the next few days.<\/p>\n
Much of Saturday night's meeting focused on the possibility of
\nelections.<\/p>\n
Amien recounted how the president asked former home affairs
\nminister Rudini on the possibility of holding new polls.<\/p>\n
\"When asked about the election, Habibie turned and asked
\nRudini 'Is it possible to hold elections in six months?' Then
\nRudini replied that a normal election must be prepared three
\nyears in advance, 'but if we are in a very desperate situation
\nand need to have elections as soon as possible, maybe we can make
\nit one year'. So this is what Habibie believes.\"<\/p>\n
When asked if Habibie seemed sincere, Amien said he believed
\nhe was.<\/p>\n
\"I did not have an impression that Habibie wants to deceive
\nus,\" Amien said, adding that he then consoled Habibie by telling
\nhim \"Of course you can become one of the presidential candidates
\nin the future. He just smiled when I told him that.\"<\/p>\n
Apart from talking about the meeting with Habibie, last
\nnight's media conference was held to announce a statement from
\nthe Majelis Amanah Rakyat (MAR), or Council of People's Mandate.<\/p>\n
The eight-point statement called for Habibie to hold a clean,
\nfair and honest election.<\/p>\n
Amien announced the establishment of MAR two weeks ago. The
\ngroup's membership includes human rights campaigner Albert
\nHasibuan and senior journalists Fikri Djufri and Goenawan
\nMohamad.<\/p>\n
Trial<\/p>\n
Earlier on Saturday, Amien criticized Habibie's newly
\nannounced cabinet as being a mere extension of the old
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
\"There are still certain individuals who seem to be an
\nextension of Cendana (former president Soeharto's residence).
\nThere is still a scent of nepotism and cronyism,\" he said during
\na seminar at Trisakti University.<\/p>\n
Habibie's new 36-member cabinet is comprised of 20 ministers
\nfrom the old Seventh Development Cabinet established by Soeharto
\nin March.<\/p>\n
When asked about the physical safety guarantee given by Armed
\nForces commander Gen. Wiranto to Soeharto as a former president,
\nAmien acknowledged that such protection was acceptable but that
\nthe legal process and accountability against the former president
\nshould continue.<\/p>\n
\"But due process of law against Pak Harto and his family
\nshould be taken under the basis of innocence until proven
\nguilty,\" said Amien.<\/p>\n
\"After the legal process (if found guilty) then all the wealth
\nillegally obtained has to be returned to the people. Specifically
\nfor Pak Harto, given his contributions to the nation, a pardon
\ncan be considered.<\/p>\n
\"But for Mbak Tutut (Soeharto's eldest daughter) and her
\nsiblings, if they are proven guilty then there should be no
\npardon. They should then be punished in accordance to the law,\"
\nAmien asserted. (byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-to-hold-elections-amien-1447893297",
"image": ""
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