Akbar discourages mass mobilization
JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tanjung said he supported the right of all parties to express their political aspirations but insisted that it should be done without mobilizing mass rallies in the capital.
"If people want to channel their aspirations then come to the House. But should it be in a massive group? What is important is that the aspirations are heard by the House," Akbar said here on Thursday.
He said political issues should be solved politically without resorting to physical pressure.
"People should not perceive differences of opinion between the elite as a sign of conflict, because this is a democratic country and such things should not be exaggerated," Akbar added.
He acknowledged the possibility that Nadhatul Ulama (NU) supporters' might converge on the city as a message not to disrupt President Abdurrahman Wahid during his tenure.
A House special commission originally scheduled Monday as the date they would summon the President to explain his possible involvement in the Bulog and Brunei scandals.
However, that is now questionable as the President is scheduled to go to Singapore on state business on Monday.
Akbar defended the commission's work, saying people must realize that "the House is just carrying out its responsibility" and that it is not "personal against the President."
"I have repeatedly said that the House cannot topple the President. We can only make a resolution to hold a special session if the President acts against the constitution," Akbar remarked.
Separately, NU Ansor Youth Movement Chairman Saifullah Yusuf once again called on all members not to swarm the capital but to maintain security in their respective areas.
"I asked all Ansor and banser followers to respect the decision of the Ansor central executive board," Saifullah said.
He said Ansor would only be involved in the commemoration of the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle's (PDI Perjuangan) anniversary on Sunday in Senayan Stadium, South Jakarta as a reflection of brotherhood.
"Around 5,000 Ansor members from Greater Jakarta will join the celebration but there will be no activities at all on Jan. 15," he said.
There are around 500,000 members of banser civilian guards and seven million members of the Ansor movement.
Meanwhile, in Semarang, the Secretary of the Central Java branch of NU, Muzamil, asserted that thousands of members from NU's youth wing would be sent if anti-Abdurrahman rallies occur.
"Gus Dur was elected in a constitutional manner. If he is ousted in an unconstitutional way, I believe worse times will hit this nation," Muzamil warned.
"The dispatch of civilian guards to Jakarta is only aimed at respecting the Constitution. If politicians keep up their efforts to oust Gus Dur, we have no other choice," Muzamil added.
In Surabaya, the head of the East Java branch of NU, Ali Maschoen Moesa, said on Thursday that a decision was made not to send members to Jakarta.
"We decided not to send our civilian guards. But as an alternative, we will hold peaceful rallies at local councils nationwide starting on Jan. 17," Ali said.
"Our only demand is to maintain Gus Dur till 2004," Ali added.
Commenting on the scheduled visit of People's Consultative Assembly Speaker, Amien Rais, to Surabaya on Saturday, Ali said the group would welcome it.
Amien, known as a harsh critic of the President, is due to attend a National Mandate Party meeting here.
"We welcome the arrival of Pak Amien here. But we urge him to create a conducive situation during his visit. If anyone ambushes him, it will not be us and we will not take responsibility for it," Ali asserted. (nur/har/02/dja)