Political leaders meet at Cholil's residence<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A number of political leaders belonging to a loose grouping of
\nIslamic parties, plus some Golkar Party legislators, met at the
\nresidence of deputy speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR) Cholil Bisri on Jl. Kemanggisan Ilir 2B, Slipi, on Thursday
\nevening, with the host denying that the gathering had any
\npolitical agenda.<\/p>\n
Those attending the meeting included former president
\nAbdurrahman Wahid, National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Alwi
\nShihab, Justice Party (PK) president Hidayat Nurwahid, Golkar
\nchairman Fahmi Idris, and National Mandate Party (PAN) legislator
\nFuad Bawazier.<\/p>\n
Also joining the gathering were Golkar legislators Rambe
\nKamarulzaman, Andi Matalata and Theo Sambuaga, and PKB
\nlegislators Muhaimin Iskandar, Ali Masykur Musa, Yusuf Muhammad,
\nand Rodjil Gufron.<\/p>\n
PAN chairman Amien Rais, who is also MPR speaker, failed to
\nshow up.<\/p>\n
Legislators and leaders of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) were
\nconspicuously absent from the meeting.<\/p>\n
According to the host Cholil, the function was merely a
\nthanksgiving celebration that had no political significance.<\/p>\n
But a highly placed source who participated in the gathering
\ntold The Jakarta Post Thursday evening that the meeting was
\noriginally intended to discuss whether or not Megawati should be
\nmaintained in office until 2004, the end of her tenure.<\/p>\n
The source said they decided not to pursue the topic after
\nAmien Rais failed to show up without giving any explanation.<\/p>\n
PAN was one of the Muslim-based political parties that blocked
\nMegawati's bid in the 1999 presidential bid. However it also
\nplayed a pivotal role in removing former president Abdurrahman
\nWahid from office in July 2001, catapulting Megawati into the
\npresidential seat.<\/p>\n
Almost at the same time, President Megawati was holding a
\nmeeting at her residence on Jl. Teuku Umar with Coordinating
\nMinister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono, Indonesian Military chief Gen. Endriartono, and the
\nchiefs of staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force.<\/p>\n
No information was forthcoming about the topics discussed at
\nthe meeting, which started at around 7 p.m. A source close to the
\nPresident told the Post that the meeting was called with very
\nlittle notice.<\/p>\n
At the meeting of Muslim party leaders, Fuad Bawazier said the
\nparticipants had all agreed that Indonesia should hold a direct
\npresidential election in 2004.<\/p>\n
\"Whatever happens, we will have a direct presidential election
\nin 2004, and any political party that opposes the move will be
\nsidelined, including the PDI Perjuangan,\" Fuad said.<\/p>\n
The PDI Perjuangan has shown great reluctance in supporting a
\ndirect presidential election in 2004.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/political-leaders-meet-at-cholils-residence-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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