Legislators, political observers split over Gus Dur's victory<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Legislators and political observers lauded the
\ndemocratic process at work in the election of Abdurrahman Wahid
\nas president on Wednesday, but several expressed regret at the
\nloss of highly favored Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
A number of legislators hailed not only the democratic process
\nof the election but the victory of Abdurrahman, widely known as
\nGus Dur, whose acceptability to most political and societal
\ngroupings is expected to enable him to cope with numerous
\nproblems confronting the country.<\/p>\n
Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais
\nhailed Abdurrahman's election as the country's fourth president
\nto replace B.J. Habibie.<\/p>\n
"I'm very grateful. After people now know that the fourth
\npresident is Gus Dur, both Habibie's and Megawati's supporters
\nshould accept the result," he said in a news conference after the
\npresidential election.<\/p>\n
Amien denied widespread speculation that Gus Dur would resign
\nin the middle of his five-year term of office to hand over power
\nto his vice president.<\/p>\n
"Gus Dur has no intention of doing this," said Amien, whose
\nReform Faction nominated Abdurrahman as presidential candidate.<\/p>\n
Syarwan Hamid, a regional representative in the MPR, said
\nAbdurrahman was elected democratically in a legitimate election.<\/p>\n
"I hope he will be able to maintain national unity and defuse
\nthe prolonged crisis," he said.<\/p>\n
Syarwan, who some have alleged to have masterminded the
\nviolent takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party's
\nheadquarters from Megawati's camp on July 27, 1996, said he
\nappreciated Megawati's acceptance of Abdurrahman's win.<\/p>\n
Deputy chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) Zarkasih
\nNur acknowledged that his party's faction supported Abdurrahman
\nbecause of his acceptability to many groups.<\/p>\n
"Our hope is that he will be able to solve numerous problems
\nthe nation is facing," he said, declaring Abdurrahman the right
\nman for the presidency.<\/p>\n
Priyo Budi Santoso of the Golkar Party said the major weakness
\nof Megawati's camp was its "arrogance" in holding off from
\nnegotiating with other parties.<\/p>\n
"This arrogance can be seen in the speeches and statements
\nmade by the party's senior officials in the early days of the
\npresidential election process," he said.<\/p>\n
Golkar deputy chairman Theo Sambuaga lauded Abdurrahman as a
\ntruly democratic and moderate figure.<\/p>\n
"I'm not worried about the condition of his health. He's in
\nperfect health. He's been able to follow the MPR General Session
\nin the past few weeks both day and night," he said.<\/p>\n
MPR Deputy Speaker Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno said the military
\naccepted the election of Abdurrahman as the country's new
\npresident because he was elected through a democratic process.<\/p>\n
"Whoever the president is, he or she will hold power over the
\nmilitary."<\/p>\n
Guruh Soekarnoputra, a legislator from PDI Perjuangan,
\nregretted his eldest sister's loss in the presidential race.<\/p>\n
"I'm very sad. But I think it is a normal thing and Megawati
\ncan accept her loss in a democratic contest," he said.<\/p>\n
Guruh said the loss would be a good lesson for PDI Perjuangan.<\/p>\n
Abdul Madjid of PDI Perjuangan was also sorry about Megawati's
\ndefeat but said all sides, including his party, should respect
\nthe democratic election and its result.<\/p>\n
"As a member of PDI Perjuangan, I am sad because of Megawati's
\ndefeat in the democratic presidential election. But I must
\nrespect the Assembly's majority support for Abdurrahman."<\/p>\n
Nursyahbani Katjasungkana and Erna Witoelar, both from the
\ninterest group faction, said they were saddened by Megawati's
\ndefeat.<\/p>\n
"Megawati is a popular woman figure among the people,
\nespecially the oppressed," said Erna.<\/p>\n
Nursyahbani said Megawati should be involved in the next
\ngovernment because her party won largest votes in the June 7
\ngeneral election.<\/p>\n
"From the perspective of democracy, Megawati, whose party won
\nthe election, should have been given the first chance to form a
\ngovernment, but our Constitution stipulates a different ruling,"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Influential Muslim intellectual Nurcholish Madjid hailed the
\ndemocratic presidential election regardless of the outcome.<\/p>\n
"I believe Gus Dur will be able to form a credible government
\nthat should not be dominated by the central axis."<\/p>\n
He said Abdurrahman was a nationally recognized figure who
\nwould be able to create national harmony and reconciliation.<\/p>\n
He said Megawati's supporters should accept her loss in the
\npresidential election because the party gained 34 percent of the
\nvote in the general election which was short of a majority.<\/p>\n
"Nevertheless, PDI Perjuangan has to be included in the
\ngovernment," he said.<\/p>\n
A political observer from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences
\n(LIPI), Muhammad A.S. Hikam, called on the political elite and
\nthe people to accept the democratic presidential election and the
\nelected president.<\/p>\n
He also said Abdurrahman should initiate national
\nreconciliation, including a visit to regions with strong support
\nfor either Habibie or Megawati.<\/p>\n
"Gus Dur has to initiate national reconciliation to prevent
\nthe nation from disintegration," he said.<\/p>\n
Indria Samego, also a political observer from LIPI, said that
\nAbdurrahman was expected to be able to maintain national unity
\nand solve problems in troubled areas of the country.<\/p>\n
"In assuming his tenure, he will take on uphill challenges,
\nespecially the prolonged crisis and regional conflicts in Aceh,
\nAmbon and Irian Jaya," he said. (02\/05\/byg\/jsk\/rei\/rms)<\/p>",
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