Amien vows to tone down criticism against govt

Amien vows to tone down criticism against govt

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Amien Rais, famous for his argumentative
tendencies, has pledged to tone down his criticism of the
government and remain quiet for a year after the August general
session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

"I will shut up after the annual Assembly in August and it
will last until the next assembly in August 2001," Amien said,
after a meeting with the Bali Travel Mart event organizer in Bali
Tropik Hotel, Tanjung Benoa, on Monday.

In an apparent reaction to critics who say that he talks too
much, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais said he would no longer
criticize President Abdurrahman Wahid.

During the Assembly session in 2001, Amien said he would
thoroughly evaluate the President's work.

Amien is currently under fire for his support for the
establishment of an independent medical team to check
Abdurrahman's health.

National Awakening Party (PKB) legislators have lashed back at
the proposal saying that Amien Rais himself should also undergo a
checkup.

The President said last week that he has received assurances
from political leaders, including from Amien, that the Assembly
session would not impeach him.

Amien, however warned on Monday that his silence would be
perceived as a blank cheque for the President to do as he wishes.

He added that he would take tough measures if the President
fails to fulfill his commitments.

"If he is given another chance, who knows if there will be a
miracle. If the President can fulfill his obligation,
Alhamdulillah (Thank God). But if he fails we have to find
another solution," said Amien.

But before silencing himself, Amien took the opportunity on
Monday to bemoan people's immaturity and unpreparedness to face
the practices of democracy saying that many could not accept
differing views such as the ones stated by himself.

"Many people think that it just causes political instability
when the elites are busy attacking each other," Amien said.

Amien said the President himself often misunderstands these
criticisms and erroneously considers them as an effort to topple
him.

Amien stressed that his criticism was merely to encourage the
President to cease controversial statements and refrain from
commenting on matters which he does not fully understand.

"Don't sleep during a Cabinet meeting!" Amien advised the
President.(zen/edt)