Nation in danger of collapse if instability not resolved: Susilo<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and
\nSecurity Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned of the nation's
\ncollapse if questions over the national leadership, stability and
\nsecurity are not quickly resolved.<\/p>\n
Alluding to the House of Representatives' memorandum process
\nagainst President Abdurrahman Wahid and a possible special
\nsession of the People's Consultative Assembly, Susilo believes
\nthe uncertainty will last until July or August, bringing with it
\ndebilitating consequences.<\/p>\n
\"This uncertainty will have a severe impact, not only on the
\npolitical front, but also in our economic, social and security
\nfields,\" he said adding that he was also concerned that it will
\nbe aggravated by political activism which will further agitate
\nthe conflict.<\/p>\n
\"Quite honestly, with the issuance of a memorandum by the
\nHouse of Representatives against President Abdurrahman Wahid, the
\ncredibility and authority of Gus Dur has decreased, which
\ndirectly or indirectly has effected the credibility of the
\ngovernment,\" Susilo said.<\/p>\n
Usually reserved from making direct political statements,
\nSusilo in what seemed to be an expression of his frustration and
\nconcern at the state of the nation, on Sunday personally
\ndistributed a six-page statement to journalists written on paper
\nthat did not include the official masthead of his office.<\/p>\n
The solution, he said, lies in the hands of this nation's
\npolitical elite: Abdurrahman, Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais and House Speaker
\nAkbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
He added that the House, the government and major political
\nparties can also influence the solution.<\/p>\n
In the statement, Susilo then pleaded for an end to the use of
\nviolence as a means of resolving the national leadership issue.<\/p>\n
\"The word is peace and order, no matter how large the mass
\ndemonstrations are.\"<\/p>\n
Susilo then charged that even though the term \"national
\nstability and security\" may be considered unpopular due to its
\nmilitaristic connotation, but added that \"without it this nation
\nwould be a sea of chaos, violence and tension.\"<\/p>\n
He called for a common perception among all elements of
\nsociety to arrive at a consensus which can be pursued.<\/p>\n
\"Don't practice the law of the jungle. Don't implement a
\nprinciple of winner takes all,\" Susilo appealed.<\/p>\n
But elsewhere over the weekend the politicking continued.<\/p>\n
Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung in Makassar, South
\nSulawesi, punctuated the growing support for Megawati to succeed
\nthe presidency.<\/p>\n
Speaking to journalists after delivering a political speech in
\nbefore the party's cadres on Saturday, Akbar said he will provide
\ntotal support for Megawati if she replaces Abdurrahman in a
\nconstitutional manner.<\/p>\n
\"If in a constitutional way Megawati replaces Gus Dur, Golkar
\nwill give its support to her to ensure that she will succeed to
\nlead the country as president,\" Akbar remarked.<\/p>\n
Support for Megawati to take over from the embattled President
\nhas grown following the issuance of a memorandum against
\nAbdurrahman after he was implicated in two financial scandals by
\nthe House.<\/p>\n
Ironically the most ardent pronouncements for Megawati in
\nrecent weeks have come from the very same Islamic parties which
\nstifled her presidential bid in 1999 by declaring that it would
\nbe improper for a woman to be president.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile in Jakarta, PDI Perjuangan hinted that the party was
\nnot merely seeking backing for Megawati, but also assurances that
\nif she takes over she will not endure the kind of political
\nassault as her predecessor.<\/p>\n
\"What we are doing is not simply trying to gain support for
\nMegawati, but also to achieve political stability needed by all
\npolitical parties for the next general election,\" secretary of
\nthe party's faction at the House, Heri Akhmadi, told The Jakarta
\nPost. (02\/27\/30\/dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nation-in-danger-of-collapse-if-instability-not-resolved-susilo-1447893297",
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