Akbar defends second memorandum of censure
Akbar defends second memorandum of censure
JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
defended on Tuesday the move by six House factions to draft a
second memorandum of censure before President Abdurrahman Wahid
had replied to the first memorandum.
"I do not think we have to hold a plenary session to discuss
the President's reply to the first memorandum because there have
been no significant changes in the performance of the President
and the government. It is suitable to deliver the second
memorandum," Akbar said.
He said Abdurrahman's written reply to the first memorandum of
censure was not the only factor used to appraise the President's
performance.
"The appraisal of the President's performance is not merely
based on his written reply, but also on his policies and
performance within the three months (since the first memorandum
was issued). These things determine whether the (second)
memorandum will be issued or not," Akbar said.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle faction (PDI
Perjuangan), Golkar Party faction, the Reform faction, the United
Development faction (F-PP), the Crescent Star Party faction (PBB)
and the United Ummat Sovereignty faction (F-PDU) submitted on
Monday a draft of a second memorandum of censure.
Akbar said the House would decide its stance on the second
memorandum during a plenary session this week.
PDI Perjuangan legislator Sophan Sophiaan said his faction's
involvement in drafting the second memorandum of censure did not
contradict the party's line.
"I think Arifin Panigoro (the head of the PDI Perjuangan
faction in the House) has followed the guidelines of the party's
executive board, which have not yet been delivered to all faction
members," Sophan said.
Separately, Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. said the President
was ready to submit his reply to the first memorandum of censure,
which was delivered because of his alleged involvement in two
financial scandals.
Mahfud accused the House factions of "being afraid of the
content of the President's reply to the first memorandum, as it
will consist of key answers that will counter the arguments
raised by the House special committee (that investigated the two
scandals)".
Abdurrahman has set up a team of six ministers, led by
Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to draft the reply. The team is being
supervised by Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
"I believe her (Megawati's) presence as the team's supervisor
is proper as she represents the government. Regarding her
position as PDI Perjuangan chairwoman, I think she just wants to
distance herself from the move taken by her party," Mahfud said.
Mahfud said the team would go to the House on Wednesday to
ask legislators if they planned to summon the President.
Meanwhile, the deputy chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU)'s law-
making body, Said Aqil Siradj, said the move by legislators to
draft a second memorandum of censure could result in "the
radicalization of the masses".
"Democracy needs patience. We regret that there are parties
pursuing the second memorandum without letting the constitutional
mechanisms run their course," Said told journalists here on the
sidelines of a seminar on education in the era of regional
autonomy.
He said NU would not be to blame for any mass actions. "The
political elite are pushing NU against the wall and provoking NU
supporters to take action to express support for Gus Dur."
"NU has never asked the masses to take action, and we even
prevented them for coming to Jakarta in order to avoid violence.
However, there are parties sending members of other groups who
claim to be NU members," he said.
Similar criticism was voiced by noted economist Sjahrir, who
said the move by he six House factions was "regrettable".
"We are in the process of national destruction, judging by the
worsening relationship between the President and the House. I
keep wondering why the House has become so eager to draft the
second memorandum," Sjahrir said on the sidelines of a media
conference on the results of a study on the presidential election
and general election systems, carried out by the Association of
New Indonesia.
Sjahrir, who several months ago demanded Abdurrahman resign,
suggested the President improve his performance by focusing his
effort on pulling the country out of the economic crisis.
In Bandung, political observer Azyumardi Azra said the House
must wait until three months had passed since the issuance of the
first memorandum of censure before drafting a second memorandum.
(02/25/dja/edt)