Gus Dur wants Mega to function as PM<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid emphasized on
\nWednesday his determination to give Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri a significant role in government and even likened
\nher role to that of a prime minister.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists after chairing a Cabinet meeting at
\nBina Graha presidential office, Abdurrahman said Megawati was
\nconstantly involved in the decision making process.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman stressed that he also conveyed his wish for
\nMegawati's involvement directly to the Cabinet so there would be
\nno apprehension from the ministers.<\/p>\n
"I need to emphasize here that in the Cabinet, I pointed out
\nthat Vice President Megawati also functions as prime minister, I
\nsay again she also acts (as prime minister)," Abdurrahman
\nasserted.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman, popularly known as Gus Dur, said his remarks were
\nalso a reaction to suggestions from several legislators of the
\nneed for him to appoint a prime minister.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman conceded that due to his failing eyesight,
\nMegawati practically leads most of Cabinet meetings already.<\/p>\n
"She asks and raise issues directly with the ministers during
\nthe Cabinet meeting. You know why? Because as you yourself know,
\nI cannot see, therefore I do not know much about details," the
\nPresident said.<\/p>\n
Since their election in October, Abdurrahman has made it clear
\nthat he would stray from tradition and empower the Vice President
\nwith more responsibility rather than just being a figurehead.<\/p>\n
The rapport between the president and vice president
\nundoubtedly stems from the affinity between Abdurrahman and
\nMegawati nurtured over the years.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Abdurrahman even went so far as to suggest that
\nMegawati should have been the one seated as president as her
\nparty, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, won the most
\nvotes in the general election.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman said it was only by a quirk of fate and the
\ninsistence of People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) speaker Amien
\nRais that he became president.<\/p>\n
"I was lucky with Mas Amien otherwise I would never have
\nbecome president," he joked.<\/p>\n
But it is unclear whether Abdurrahman's reference to Megawati
\nas a prime minister holds any legal basis or is a mere outburst
\nof compassion for his deputy.<\/p>\n
As stipulated in Article 17 of the 1945 Constitution,
\nIndonesia officially adheres to a presidential system. This means
\nthat it does not recognize a prime minister. But there is a
\nhistoric precedence for such a breach.<\/p>\n
From November 1945 to December 1949 Sukarno, Megawati's
\nfather, appointed several prime ministers whose Cabinets were
\nresponsible directly to the President.<\/p>\n
From January 1948 to December 1949, for example, Indonesia's
\nfirst Vice President Mohammad Hatta served as vice president and
\nprime minister.<\/p>\n
From 1950 to July 1959 Indonesia's government was effectively
\na parliamentary system as there was a prime minister which was
\naccountable to the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
On July 6, Sukarno dissolved the system. Until February 1960
\nSukarno doubled as prime minister.<\/p>\n
Recognizing that his comments would likely spark debate on the
\nConstitutional validity of a prime minister, Abdurrahman quickly
\nremarked that people should not get into a legal wrangle over it.<\/p>\n
"I don't think we need special regulations (on the PM issue),
\nbecause it is only a matter of a job description between the two
\nof us," said the President. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-wants-mega-to-function-as-pm-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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