Indonesia should have impeachment institution<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Despite its presidential system, Indonesia could
\nin the future grant the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) the
\nright to impeach the president if people no longer trust in his
\nor her government, says a noted Muslim scholar.<\/p>\n
\"We should promote the mechanism of impeachment in
\nanticipation of a force majeure in which the president is
\nallegedly involved in a major scandal,\" Nurcholish Madjid, rector
\nof the Paramadina Islamic College, told a seminar held by Pelita
\ndaily here on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The mechanism, he said, does not go against the Constitution
\nwhich stipulates that the president serve for five years and be
\ndismissed only if he or she is considered no longer able to lead
\nthe nation for permanent constraints.<\/p>\n
Indonesia's first two presidents stepped down while in power
\nwithout precise impeachment procedures. Founding President
\nSukarno was dethroned after his accountability speech was
\nrejected by the Assembly in 1967 and his successor Soeharto
\nresigned following massive student demonstrations against him and
\nwidespread rioting in 1998.<\/p>\n
Nurcholish said it was not necessary now to propose a no-
\nconfidence move against President Abdurrahman Wahid's government
\nsince he has only seven months of tenure.<\/p>\n
\"The present government should be given an opportunity to
\ncarry out its main duty of defusing the multidimension crisis and
\ncompleting the reform agenda,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Demands have mounted for the Assembly to hold a special
\nsession in August to review Abdurrahman's performance. He has
\nbeen criticized for his controversial statements, especially his
\nintention to lift the ban on communists.<\/p>\n
Nurcholish suggested that the nation take full advantage of
\nthe ongoing five-year administration of Abdurrahman, better known
\nas Gus Dur, to lay a platform toward democracy, constitutional
\nobedience and law enforcement.<\/p>\n
\"We will stumble in the same way in the next episodes of
\ngovernment. The same thing will be repeated and it is annoying,\"
\nhe said, adding that the intention to replace the president
\nshould not be triggered by disappointment or personal resentment.<\/p>\n
Senior politician and former foreign minister Roeslan
\nAbdulgani agreed with Nurcholish, saying changing the president
\nwould not necessarily help Indonesia emerge from the crisis.<\/p>\n
\"It's possible to replace Gus Dur with a better person, but I
\ndon't think it is the case. Giving Gus Dur the opportunity to
\ncomplete his tenure while persistently providing him with
\nwarnings and criticism is the best way for the good of the
\nnation,\" Roeslan said.<\/p>\n
Nurcholish acknowledged that Abdurrahman appeared to have
\ndifficulty listening to other people, but suggested that the
\nPresident take all criticism positively. \"The warnings will save
\nhim,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Corruption<\/p>\n
Nurcholish said allegations of corruption involving
\nAbdurrahman's family and close associates should be investigated
\nand public discussions allowed.<\/p>\n
\"It is quite ironic if the government which is entrusted to
\nfight corruption is involved in graft. Those who are allegedly
\ninvolved should prove their innocence in court,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said Gus Dur's government would certainly collapse if he
\ntakes a deaf ear to the allegations of corruption.<\/p>\n
Print media have given prominent coverage recently to
\nallegations of corruption, collusion and practice of nepotism
\ninvolving people close to Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
The President has denied the reports, reprimanded Jawa Pos
\ndaily for taking part in \"a conspiracy to topple and discredit
\nthe government\" and considered filing a lawsuit against Tempo
\nmagazine for their coverage of the alleged high-profile graft.<\/p>\n
A group of 12 Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) senior clerics asked
\nAbdurrahman on Friday to stay cool and refrain from taking
\nextreme action for revenge. NU chairman Hasyim Muzadi, who
\naccompanied the respected clerics, said the corruption report had
\nbeen exaggerated because \"the President and his family have lived
\nsimply\".<\/p>\n
Realizing that the President alone will not be able to resolve
\nthe country's crisis, NU plans to hold a meeting between the
\ncountry's top figures, including MPR speaker Amien Rais, House of
\nRepresentatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung, and Vice President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
\"Insya Allah, we will invite them to discuss the country's
\nsituation and the ways to resolve our national problems,\" said
\nHasyim. (prb\/rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/indonesia-should-have-impeachment-institution-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}