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)