Clarification sought on VP's new powers

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)