Megawati, aides doubt Gus Dur's promises<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): There remains a lingering apprehension in some
\nquarters close to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri about the
\ntruthfulness of the President's announcement that he would
\ndelegate more power to her.<\/p>\n
This wariness was in part reinforced on Friday when President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid said he was not delegating authority to
\nMegawati but rather day-to-day duties.<\/p>\n
Pramono Anung, deputy secretary general of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), conceded there was
\na degree of suspicion among the party's rank-and-file.<\/p>\n
However, he expressed hope that through his statesmanship
\nAbdurrahman would realize the consequences of failing to fulfill
\nhis commitment to the country.<\/p>\n
"We also expect the Assembly issues a recommendation as a
\npolitical umbrella for the Vice President while our presidential
\nsystem remains intact," Pramono told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
Separately, one of Megawati's aides at the vice presidential
\noffice said to the Post that the vice president herself was also
\nsomewhat skeptical about the President's promise, given that he
\nhad made similar pledges to share duties with her before.<\/p>\n
"I have known him for a long time, and I know that he will
\nnever voluntarily give me a great role in the government," one of
\nthe vice president's assistants, who asked not to be named,
\nquoted Megawati as telling her aides soon after the President's
\nannouncement at the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) plenary
\nsession on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The aide pointed out that the President's initial stance to
\nintroduce a first minister or a coordinating minister to manage
\ndaily government affairs was an indication of his reluctance to
\nempower Megawati.<\/p>\n
A vice presidential official pointed out that the President's
\npledge to delegate more duties to Megawati was not a new
\ndevelopment, saying he had made similar statements in the past.
\nThe problem is Megawati has never been given the appropriate
\nauthority to carry out these responsibilities, he added.<\/p>\n
Over the past 10 months, the President has issued seven
\ndecrees authorizing the Vice President to handle various issues,
\nfrom violence in Maluku to separatist sentiments in Riau and
\nIrian Jaya.<\/p>\n
"Ibu Megawati has practically never been fully authorized to
\nhandle these matters despite repeated promises," the official
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Despite this, the official was confident the Vice President
\nwould not exploit the Assembly's growing dissatisfaction with
\nAbdurrahman to consolidate her own power, saying she strictly
\nabided by the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
During a Wednesday meeting with her aides, Megawati recalled
\nhow last year some Assembly factions had tried to ensure that she
\nwould not play significant role in the government.<\/p>\n
"But now these factions which opposed me last year are coming
\nto me just because they are no longer happy with the President,"
\nthe aide quoted Megawati as saying, while adding that she
\nremarked that "those who underestimated my capabilities now
\npraise me."<\/p>\n
Despite the disappointments, Megawati seems committed to
\nassisting and supporting the President in leading the country,
\nsaid the official. (prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-aides-doubt-gus-durs-promises-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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