Analysts criticize Gus Dur's stance on interpellation

Analysts criticize Gus Dur's stance on interpellation

JAKARTA (JP): Political observers slammed President
Abdurrahman Wahid's performance at Thursday's interpellation at
the House of Representatives, saying he missed a golden
opportunity to boost his public image and reconcile his political
differences with the legislature.

Indonesian Institute of Sciences political analyst Ikrar Nusa
Bakti said that instead of clearing things up, the President's
answers only prolonged the "dispute" between himself and the
House.

Ikrar asserted that Abdurrahman seemed to miss a very simple
point raised by the House, which was to prove whether he was
lying when he said he dismissed two economic ministers because of
corruption.

Instead of answering questions about the dismissals,
Abdurrahman instead launched an attack against the House and said
the interpellation was unconstitutional.

"Although it is true that there are different views about the
legality of the interpellation motion, it is the Supreme Court
which has the right of judicial review and to compare the law
with the 1945 Constitution, not the President," he remarked.

Ikrar lamented that the outcome of Thursday's proceedings
would only create an "unhealthy" domestic atmosphere. He asserted
that Abdurrahman should have made better use of this opportunity.

Similarly, an observer from the Centre for Strategic and
International Studies, J. Kristiadi, said Abdurrahman should have
used the momentum to tone down the differences of opinion between
himself and the House.

"Gus Dur should have used the opportunity to win back the
public's heart, and somehow apologize for his possible misconduct
in dismissing the two ministers," Kristiadi said, referring to
Abdurrahman by his nickname.

He said the likely outcome of Thursday's events was that the
public would perceive the President's actions as a move to muffle
legislators who were asserting their rights.

In Yogyakarta, Gadjah Mada University political observer
Riswandha Imawan said Abdurrahman simply chose not to reply to
the House's questions.

"And, as usual, he even created a new problem by questioning
the House's constitutional right on the interpellation motion. It
would be much easier if he said 'I'm sorry,'" Riswandha said.

Political observer Nana Sutikna of Jendral Soedirman
University in Purwokerto concurred. "This is Gus Dur's habit. He
seems to feel he is the only one that can do no wrong ... just
like Soeharto, who never wanted to apologize for what he did."

Gadjah Mada University rector Ichlasul Amal also slammed
Abdurrahman for not being honest and straightforward in revealing
the reasons behind the dismissals of ministers Laksamana Sukardi
and Jusuf Kalla in April.

"This is not the era of political secrecy. His political
influence and popularity will drop.

"Abdurrahman's reasoning for not disclosing everything was
politically weak, as there is no clear classification of what may
be called a 'state secret,'" Ichlasul said.

In Bandung, constitutional law expert Bagir Manan of
Padjadjaran University said Abdurrahman's move to question the
constitutional validity of interpellation was irrelevant.

"A country is not only ruled by its constitution, but also its
laws and regulations," Bagir said.

University of Indonesia political scientist Arbi Sanit was one
of the few who saw a silver lining in the whole affair. He
claimed the President's responses were strategic answers that
would improve the image of the House and the President.

He said that throughout the interpellation, the rupiah
strengthened and the market reacted positively. "It was the most
strategic move for himself, while at the same time it did not
undermine the House, did not ruin its public image and increased
the value of rupiah." (25/44/45/swa/edt/jun/dja/)