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)