Constitutional methods best for leadership change

Constitutional methods best for leadership change

JAKARTA (JP): University rectors asked citizens on Tuesday to
pursue a constitutional mechanism should they have plans to
unseat Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid from the presidency.

"We suggest that if the President resigns before his term ends
in 2004, the mechanism should be an early general election,
because a general election would be a constitutional method to
form a government," Thoby Mutis, chairman of the Jakarta chapter
of the Rectors Forum, told a media conference.

"Members of the Rectors Forum recently met with President
Abdurrahman Wahid to discuss the political situation in the
country."

"And we agreed that all political affairs should be handled
peacefully," said Thoby, who is also rector of Trisakti
University.

Established in 1998, the forum consists of 600 rectors of
state and private universities from across the country.

"An early presidential election, perhaps in 2002, is better
than violence to topple Gus Dur.

"Let the people decide. Students, in this case, must play the
role of a monitoring party," Thoby said.

He said Abdurrahman's administration must be given the
opportunity to lead the country "without too much interference
from other political elite."

"The country's political elite no longer appreciate ethics in
running a democratic state.

"The Monday hearing on the Brunei and State Logistics Agency
(Bulog) financial scandals is a vivid example of how the
legislators have ignored the consensus over the secrecy of the
hearing," he said.

Thoby said the forum also suggested that the 35 billion
(US$3.6 million) Bulog scandal and the $2 million donation from
Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah be brought to court.

"Such alleged corruption is supposed to be settled in court.
We have to be fair and not end up cornering him (Abdurrahman).

"What is happening now is that Gus Dur is surrounded by too
many enemies. He has to solve everything by himself and his staff
cannot do much to help lighten his job," he said.

Separately, forum executive Sudjana Sapi'ie, who was rector of
the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) in the 1970s, said that
Abdurrahman has taught the House a hard lesson by walking out of
the meeting.

"That action clearly reminded the House of the fact that
Indonesia recognizes the presidential system, not a legislative
one," Sudjana said on the sidelines of a seminar on Renewing the
Political Laws.

"Although such action may jeopardize Abdurrahman's position,
House members still have little chance to topple him. Can they
prove he committed wrongdoings?" he asked.

He said that Abdurrahman's alleged corruption cannot be
compared with the situation in the Philippines.

"Estrada lost his presidential seat after the Philippines
Military withdrew their support for him.

"In Indonesia, TNI has never withdrawn its support for
Abdurrahman," he said.

He said that it would not be as easy to bring the President
down here as in the Philippines because such an opposition
movement must win the support of TNI.

In Yogyakarta, political observer Riswandha Imawan of Gadjah
Mada University said on Tuesday that "Gus Dur had wasted a golden
opportunity to bring peace to the nation and to prove his
statesmanship to the people."

"If he is innocent then why did he leave the meeting? He
should challenge the House's special committee to confront his
testimony against that of Suwondo, for instance," he said.

Meanwhile in Semarang, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim
Muzadi asserted on Monday night that "there are a lot of parties
trying to break NU apart and overthrow Gus Dur from the
presidency."

"Therefore, we have warned all NU members, including the
Banser civilian security task force, not to be provoked to commit
mass action or violence," Hasyim said.

In Makassar capital of South Sulawesi, some 100 students of
Hasanuddin University staged a protest against Gus Dur, calling
him a "failed leader and full of inconsistency".

However, the NU chapter in South Sulawesi, claimed that they
would hold an Istighotsah (mass prayer) in Makassar soon.

"We want to pray for the safety of the nation and our state
leaders," NU's Sanusi Baso said on Tuesday.

A similar protest also took place in Yogyakarta where some 200
students gathered at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) demanding the
President resign.

The protesters were from UGM, Muhammadiyah University and
Yogyakarta State University.

"Gus Dur! You don't need to avoid the House's special
committee. Just resign!" one of the protesters shouted.
(edt/02/har/27/44)