President must be given chance to improve<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): While calling for a tighter rein on President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid due to his glaring flaws which have come to the
\nfore in the past 10 months, scholars warned that replacing him
\nnow would be politically more costly to the nation.<\/p>\n
Respected Muslim scholar Nurcholish Madjid warned that there
\nwas no guarantee Abdurrahman's alternative would be any better or
\ncould bring about a better situation for the country.<\/p>\n
Therefore, while finding the best way to correct a bad habit,
\nit would be better to give the President a chance to improve his
\nperformance, Nurcholish said.<\/p>\n
\"In my view, the cost of accepting the current condition is
\nstill much, much more bearable than setting a precedent that we
\nare not loyal to the Constitution,\" Nurcholish said in reference
\nto suggestions of possibly removing the President.<\/p>\n
\"We may have to learn to live with Gus Dur,\" Nurcholish said
\nduring a discussion, held by The Jakarta Post at the Borobudur
\nHotel on Wednesday to mark the launching of the book Questioning
\nGus Dur.<\/p>\n
The 249-page book of essays about the President from various
\nprominent observers along with a few notable articles on
\nAbdurrahman published in the newspaper, is an updated and revised
\nedition of Understanding Gus Dur, which was launched earlier this
\nyear.<\/p>\n
During Wednesday's discussion, Nurcholish did not widely
\nelaborate on the best solutions to end Abdurrahman's leadership
\ncrisis. Nevertheless, he remarked on the empowerment of Vice
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri as one probable solution.<\/p>\n
Nurcholish said Megawati deserved to play a key role in the
\ngovernment, because her party, the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), gained the highest vote in the general
\nelection.<\/p>\n
\"The Vice President must be more active because she also has
\nstrong legitimacy,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Other guest speakers during Wednesday's discussion were
\npolitical scientist Mochtar Pabotinggi of the National Institute
\nof Sciences (LIPI) and noted economist Sjahrir.<\/p>\n
Senior journalist and former Indonesian Ambassador to
\nAustralia Sabam Siagian moderated the seminar.<\/p>\n
Budiman Soedjatmiko, the chairman of the Democratic People's
\nParty (PRD), and labor activist Dita Indah Sari used the
\nopportunity from the floor not only to slam the President, but
\nalso to warn of threats from the military and pro-status quo
\ngroups.<\/p>\n
Budiman charged that political parties, including the Golkar
\nParty and the \"axis force\", were trying to hold the President
\n\"hostage\" so he bows to their political whims.<\/p>\n
\"Once he no longer abides by their orders, they will try to
\noust him,\" Budiman claimed.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman's second daughter, Yenny Zannuba Rahman, who was
\npresent during the discussion patiently listened to the sharp
\ncriticisms against her father.<\/p>\n
Symbolic<\/p>\n
Mochtar Pabotinggi maintained that while Abdurrahman may be
\nincompetent he should remain as the head of state with his
\npresidential powers reduced to a symbolic role.<\/p>\n
Mochtar, however, disagreed with the suggestion to appoint
\neither Megawati, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker
\nAmien Rais or the House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
\nas the country's top executive.<\/p>\n
He said these three individuals were no less incompetent than
\nAbdurrahman.<\/p>\n
\"The most important thing is to end the uncertainty, because
\nif this continues, pro-status quo and antireform groups will
\nbecome the eventual winners in this chaos,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sjahrir, however, disputed Mochtar's proposal to limit the
\nPresident's powers.<\/p>\n
Sjahrir said it was unimaginable for a person like Abdurrahman
\nto accept the reality that he would only play a ceremonial role.<\/p>\n
\"It is impossible for Gus Dur to accept such a bitter
\ncondition,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sjahrir said after the Assembly's Annual Session, which begins
\nnext week, the President should form a more credible and
\nprofessional Cabinet.<\/p>\n
He stressed that it was also important for Abdurrahman to stop
\nhis stubbornness and follow his economic policymakers' advice.<\/p>\n
\"A market embracing government must be formed without ignoring
\nthe power of the existing political interests,\" Sjahrir noted.<\/p>\n
In Sjahrir's opinion, not only was the President at fault over
\nthe past months but also legislators.<\/p>\n
He said House members had been aggressive in probing the
\nrecent State Logistics Agency (Bulog) Rp 35 billion scandal which
\nallegedly involved the President.<\/p>\n
However, in comparison, the legislators seemed deaf when there
\nwere reports of alleged corruption for about Rp 190 billion
\ndisclosed by the recently removed Army Strategic Reserves Command
\n(Kostrad) chief Lt. Gen. Agus Wirahadikusumah.<\/p>\n
\"Why did they just remain silent with the Kostrad case
\nalthough the amount is so much higher than the Bulog case?\"
\nSjahrir said. (prb)<\/p>",
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