Megawati never sets terms: PDI-P<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan) on Monday denied reports that Vice President and
\nparty' chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri has stipulated three
\nrequirements as conditions to take over the presidency from the
\nembattled Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
\"Ibu Megawati has never set any terms in the ongoing political
\nprocess. We stick to constitutional process as it has been the
\nparty's choice to go through with the memorandum process,\" PDI
\nPerjuangan's deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung Wibowo said.<\/p>\n
However, he underlined that in political discourse it is
\ncommon practice to have political consensus. This is needed for
\nthe sake of national stability at least until 2004, the end of
\nAbdurrahman's terms of office, in an effort to save the country's
\nfuture.<\/p>\n
\"Within political discourse actually it is understandable that
\nthe commitment to save the country at least until 2004 should be
\nour major choice and should be a commitment for all of us. And we
\nshould stick to it,\" Pramono said.<\/p>\n
\"However, PDI Perjuangan has no intention at all of basing our
\npolitical decisions on set terms,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Pramono was commenting on a report published by Media
\nIndonesia daily, which quoted an unnamed source, that Megawati
\nhad spelled out the three conditions to rival party leaders.<\/p>\n
It quoted the source as saying that Megawati was only prepared
\nto accept the presidency if the vice presidential seat be left
\nvacant, the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR) be dropped, and other parties agreed not to \"disturb\" her
\nuntil 2004, when the next elections are scheduled.<\/p>\n
Pramono further said that in politics no such commitment could
\nbe provided or asked for by political parties, citing that there
\nwas only political consensus.<\/p>\n
\"But, so far ibu Megawati has never mentioned such terms in
\nthe party's meeting,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Another PDI Perjuangan executive Jacob Tobing echoed Pramono,
\nsaying that the three conditions mentioned have repeatedly been
\nraised by the party in the House of Representatives' ad-hoc
\ncommittee on the amendment of the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
\"All of the three conditions mentioned are the party's actual
\nstance ... they are common,\" Jacob, who is also chairman of the
\nad-hoc committee told The Jakarta Post on Monday.<\/p>\n
\"We keep repeating our stance in the committee's sessions and
\nhearings. Besides, it is common to say that if something happens
\nto the president, then the vice president should remain as
\npresident until the end of the (president's) term,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also pointed out that eliminating the annual session of the
\nAssembly and keep the vice presidential seat empty until the end
\nof the tenure is common practice.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung strongly
\nindicated that he could accept the three conditions demanded by
\nMegawati if she was asked to replace President Abdurrahman.<\/p>\n
Akbar, who is also House Speaker, said the MPR would be ready
\nto discuss the Vice President's preconditions, including a
\nguarantee that her term as president would last until 2004.<\/p>\n
\"We can discuss the issue together. There is no problem with
\nthe precondition issue,\" Akbar said, as quoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Akbar however also pointed out that Megawati should be more
\nresponsive to the House's evaluation and be ready to accommodate
\ncriticism from the legislative body.<\/p>\n
\"If she becomes president, Ibu Megawati must also carry out
\nher duties consistently,\" he said.<\/p>\n
In contrast to Akbar, former minister of justice and human
\nrights Yusril Ihza Mahendra openly expressed his disagreement
\nwith Megawati's demands, saying that the country must stick to
\nconstitutional laws, including the presence of vice president.<\/p>\n
\"We should not be trapped by such wishes. Our concern is
\nwhether it is in line with the prevailing regulations,\" said
\nYusril, who is also chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB).<\/p>\n
Yusril, a constitutional law expert himself, said the House
\ncould now issue a memorandum of censure against the President as
\nthe latter had failed to show \"good intention\" in response to the
\nfirst memorandum of censure, which was issued on Feb. 1.<\/p>\n
\"The President's reply to the first memorandum on March 28 did
\nnot touch the substance stipulated in the memorandum.<\/p>\n
\"The reply has challenged the legislative body (to issue the
\nsecond memorandum),\" he said in a meeting with Golkar faction at
\nthe House on Monday.<\/p>\n
The Golkar faction has been inviting constitutional law
\nexperts in its preparation for the issuance of the second
\nmemorandum. They include Ismail Suny, Jimly Assidiqie, and former
\nstudent activist Cosmas Batubara. (dja\/prb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/megawati-never-sets-terms-pdi-p-1447893297",
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