Clarification sought on VP's new powers

JAKARTA (JP): While top politicians were confident of Megawati Soekarnoputri's abilities, there was still no indication on Thursday of the extent of the Vice President's authority when the President delegates the day-to-day running of the government to her.

Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) immediately demanded President Abdurrahman Wahid give clear guidelines on the scope of her authority in the administration.

Laksamana Sukardi, a member of the PDI Perjuangan and former state minister of investment and state enterprises development, appealed to the President to give a clear job description to Megawati so she knows exactly what is required of her.

"The government will remain ineffective and weak if the vice president does not have full authority in doing the tasks entrusted to her," he said.

Laksamana, who was axed by the President earlier this year, nevertheless pointed out that the faction appreciated the President's gesture and willingness to share a part of his power with the Vice President.

The Golkar Party faction gave a thumbs-up to the President's decision and said the Vice President should head and coordinate the next Cabinet.

"We appreciate the President's decision because he is aware of his physical handicaps. And he has authority to do (delegate his authority) so because it is in line with the presidential system," Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung said.

"Megawati should be given a chance," he added.

Akbar doubted that anyone would question Megawati's legitimacy as her party won the most votes in the last general election.

Authority

Akbar indicated that Megawati's role should be more on the operational side of running the government such as chairing Cabinet meetings and coordinating and following up on major decisions.

Abdurrahman said on Thursday evening that a presidential decree outlining Megawati's mandate would be issued in conjunction with the announcement of a new Cabinet.

However, the President's remarks did nothing to clear up speculation about Megawati's eventual role.

Yusuf Muhammad, chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction at the Assembly, said the Vice President's authority would be limited to tackling daily government chores, and would not signify a separation between the head of state and the head of the government.

"The Vice President will be in charge of the daily government administration while the President will continue to retain control of the government," he said.

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais also welcomed Megawati's greater role, but warned that this was a one- time exception and future governments would not be given the same leeway.

He added that the decision "shows Gus Dur's big heart. Hats off to him."

He believed that as a result of the decision, the remaining seven days of the Annual Session would not be so "heated".

"It was beginning to heat up ... Now it's cool and I believe it will remain that way till the end of the session."

"Hopefully Megawati can do better. We have to be optimistic," Amien said.

Slamet Effendi Yusuf of the Golkar faction called on all sides to give Megawati a chance to improve the government's performance.

"We have to support her to create a conducive situation. Don't worry about her capabilities (for now)," he told The Jakarta Post.

"On the other hand, she must get all the authority she needs in coordinating the Cabinet. I hope the President will no longer interfere too much in day-to-day administration," he added.

Siswono Yudohusodo of the Interest Group faction also called on Megawati to be given room to run the government, including the formation of a new Cabinet.

"In order to make the next Cabinet a strong team, Megawati must have authority to assemble it more actively although the government remains under the President's responsibility," he said.

Imam B. Prasodjo, a sociologist from the University of Indonesia, said the move to give Megawati more authority had probably saved Abdurrahman Wahid from having to face political disarray from disgruntled political opponents.

However, Kusnanto Anggoro from the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) warned that the new arrangement could pose new problems if Megawati failed in her task.

"If the mechanism does not work, it could bring both of them down," he said.(rms/jun/nvn)