Amien alarmed by foreign meddling in RI presidency

Amien alarmed by foreign meddling in RI presidency

JAKARTA (JP): Amien Rais has expressed alarm over what he
believes to be attempts by foreign interest groups to influence
the outcome of Indonesia's presidential election.

Speaking at a seminar on presidential elections here on
Tuesday, Amien recounted a recent meeting with a foreign figure
who offered money to his National Mandate Party (PAN) in exchange
for the party's stated willingness to support a certain
presidential candidate.

"I said, 'no way, thank you'," Amien said. He did not mention
any names but an insider said the person Amien referred to was a
former U.S. ambassador to Indonesia and that the favored
candidate was Megawati Soekarnoputri of the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

Amien described another incident in which a foreign politician
arranged to be on the same flight with him to persuade Amien --
whom the foreigner praised as having the power to tip the balance
in the current political configuration -- to support Megawati.

Suggestions of a coalition between PDI Perjuangan and PAN,
plus Abdurrahman Wahid's National Awakening Party (PKB), have
repeatedly been aired, but the most the three parties' leaders
have done was form a loose alliance to challenge Golkar in the
June 7 elections.

However, a source said Amien was fast losing interest in
teaming up with PDI Perjuangan. Amien has reportedly held
meetings with several of Megawati's aides in which he conveyed
his unhappiness with PDI Perjuangan, saying, among other things,
the party had snubbed the Muslim majority by picking non-Muslims
as 60 percent of its legislative candidates and that its stance
regarding such things as communism was too lenient.

"Please be aware that we're not immune to foreign influences
in the coming presidential election," Amien said. "If we want to
retain our independence, our dignity, then let our own conscience
guide us... not Australia, Beijing, the White House... not
those with money politics."

"Let the best person become president," he said.

Megawati is known to have good ties with the White House and
was invited to the presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton in
1993.

Amien also clarified his stance on the recent uproar over a
woman president. "There's no ruling against women becoming
president (in Islam)," he said, refuting earlier reports that he
was campaigning against Megawati's presidential bid using Islamic
law.

"The Holy Koran actually has a verse that guarantees the
equality of women and men as long as they fast, pay alms,
pray...," he said.

Acknowledging the polarizing effect that the gender issue and
Islam was having on the public, Amien suggested that Indonesia
should instead choose a president with a good track record.

"I'd like to end the controversy on whether women can become
president by testing all presidential candidates at the General
Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)."

"The presidential candidates, for instance, should deliver
orations... then, the MPR should hold a stage-by-stage
presidential election," he said, meaning that the list of
candidates would be pared down gradually.

"This would be a better campaign than using the gender issue.
Though certainly we need to respect ulemas because they reached
their decision through ijtihad (intellectual exercise) devoid of
any self interest," he said, referring to some ulemas' recent
announcement that women cannot become president under Islamic
law.

The seminar was held by the Center for Youth, Future and
International Studies. The other speakers featured in the event
were political observer Afan Gaffar, deputy chairman of the
General Elections Commission (KPU) Harun Al Rasjid, and Faisal
Baasir of the United Development Party (PPP).

Gus Dur

Later in the day, Amien visited Abdurrahman Wahid at the
latter's office on Jl. Kramat Raya in Central Jakarta.
Abdurrahman (better known as Gus Dur) told the media he was
arranging a meeting between himself, Megawati, Amien and Sri
Sultan Hamengkubuwono X of Yogyakarta.

He confirmed journalists' suggestions that the four would be
discussing political compromises regarding the next government.

"My view is, if this is found acceptable, Mega should be
president, I become the People's Consultative Assembly speaker,
and Amien the House of Representatives speaker."

Upon hearing Abdurrahman's remarks, Amien smiled. "He is
joking. We know how Gus Dur loves to joke. But I will put forward
my own proposal."

However, Amien agreed that the four leaders -- who last year
produced the so-called Ciganjur Declaration to facilitate the
reform movement -- should meet again soon to break the current
political impasse.

"We can see how the momentum for change has been fading away,"
he said.

Wiranto

Separately, Minister of Defense and Security/Indonesian
Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Wiranto met at his office with
Hamzah Haz, the chairman of the United Development Party (PPP),
who sought an explanation of the military's stance in the coming
presidential election.

In a press briefing, Hamzah quoted Wiranto as saying the
military would not remain "neutral" during the election and the
creation of the Guidelines of State Policies.

"TNI must side with the people," Wiranto said.

Hamzah said he was convinced the 38 military appointees in the
House of Representatives would fight for the nation's interests,
though Wiranto had not revealed how the military would go about
playing this role.

Hamzah reiterated his party's refusal to support Megawati,
citing the decrees of Muslim clerics.

"The Muslim ulemas said the next president should be the best
son of the nation, a Muslim male with noble conduct," he said as
quoted by Antara. "Now we are looking for presidential candidates
who meet those criteria."

Hamzah also revealed that his party had been conducting its
own vote count, and had reached the conclusion that it would end
third after PDI Perjuangan and Golkar. (swe)