MPR factions make final preparations<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A flurry of activity on Monday marked the eve of
\nthe Special Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
\n-- some schools were closed and office workers sent home early
\nfor fear of unrest, while pressure groups made last minute
\nattempts to influence the event.<\/p>\n
Thousands of students tried to deliver their demands to the
\nlegislature, but were prevented from getting near to the
\nMPR\/House of Representatives (DPR) compound by a security force
\nnumbering in the thousands.<\/p>\n
Inside the compound, factions prepared their views on a number
\nof issues, including the 12 draft decrees which will be
\ndeliberated in the session. The legislators also met a few
\ndelegations that made it into the building to deliver their
\npetitions on issues such as the military's representation in the
\nlegislative bodies.<\/p>\n
Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto led the military
\nfaction's \"dress rehearsal\", and later called on the public to
\nassist efforts to allow the session to proceed safely and
\nsuccessfully.<\/p>\n
\"Let us build a common vision ... that if the session is safe
\nand successful, national and international confidence in the
\nnation will grow,\" he was quoted by Antara as saying after the
\nevent. \"Then, there will be many things that we can achieve to
\novercome the crisis.\"<\/p>\n
\"The session is the main gate toward democratization and will
\nensure that Indonesia proceeds down the correct path to reform,\"
\nhe said, adding that a return of confidence would mean increased
\ncooperation with other countries.<\/p>\n
\"The session will discuss a political agenda that holds the
\nkey to the fate of this nation ... its success, however, does not
\ndepend on ABRI alone,\" he said. \"How could ABRI safeguard the
\nsession if there are parties seeking to disrupt it or even
\nprevent it from taking place?\"<\/p>\n
Separately, National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Roesmanhadi issued
\na written media statement apologizing to the public for all
\ndiscomfort and mistakes committed by the police in their effort
\nto secure the event. He also called all parties to allow \"small
\ntraders and children\" their rights to work and to play.<\/p>\n
\"Let the common people smile while waiting good results from
\nthe Special Session,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Special Session opens at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. One thousand
\nmembers, President B.J. Habibie and a number of Cabinet ministers
\nwill be present.<\/p>\n
Following the opening ceremony, the members will be divided
\ninto commissions to discuss the 12 draft decrees.<\/p>\n
Fadel Muhammad of the dominant Golkar said his faction had
\nmade adequate preparations for the four-day meeting. \"We have
\neven divided our members into commissions that will discuss the
\ndraft decrees,\" said Fadel, a businessman who will lead his
\nfaction in the commission discussing regional autonomy and
\neconomic democracy.<\/p>\n
The United Development Party (PPP) faction vowed to fight all
\nout for many crucial issues, including an end to the Armed Forces
\nrepresentation in the legislative bodies.<\/p>\n
PPP faction secretary Endin A.J. Sofihara said his faction
\nwould also fight to bring Soeharto to stand trial for allegedly
\namassing a fortune for himself, his family and his cronies
\nthrough illegal means throughout the duration of his 32-years in
\noffice. The faction will also fight to lift the stipulation that
\nall organizations must adopt Pancasila as their basic ideology.<\/p>\n
He said the campaign to bring Soeharto to trial and
\ninvestigate his wealth was in line with people's demands,
\nincluding those voiced during the recent Indonesian Moslems
\nCongress.<\/p>\n
\"If the other factions refuse to discuss these sensitive
\nissues, we will walk out of the session,\" he threatened.<\/p>\n
Separately, Moslem leader Abdurrahman Wahid suggested a
\ngradual phase-out of the military's presence in the legislative
\nbodies, suggesting two electoral cycles as the ideal period.<\/p>\n
\"Sometimes, if we wish to be leaders, such a stance needs to
\nbe taken, despite the risk that people will not like it,\" he said
\nin a written statement delivered to a gathering at Asshiddiqiyah
\nIslamic boarding school in West Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"ABRI's dual role cannot be brought to an end within one or
\ntwo weeks,\" he added. \"This (position that neglects) common sense
\nmust be prevented.\"<\/p>\n
Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic Party
\n(Perjuangan) -- who was expected to meet with National Mandate
\nParty (PAN) leader Amien Rais at Abdurrahman's house -- instead
\nwent to the meeting at the Islamic boarding school.<\/p>\n
PPP chairman Ismail Hasan Metareum said the Special Session
\nmust not delay in deciding upon the best role for ABRI to play,
\ngiven its importance in guaranteeing national security.<\/p>\n
\"We respect ABRI and want to prevent it from being criticized
\nby the public, that's why the session must think of the best
\nplace for ABRI,\" he said as quoted by Antara. (rms\/edt\/swe)<\/p>",
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