Critics warn Gus Dur of possible impeachment

Critics warn Gus Dur of possible impeachment

JAKARTA (JP): The polemic over President Abdurrahman Wahid's
intention to have the three-decade-old communism ban lifted has
been dragging on, with contenders warning of massive opposition
that could lead to his ousting.

Executive director of the Center for Information and
Development Studies (CIDES) Jumhur Hidayat said here on Saturday
that Abdurrahman's intention to pursue the revocation of the ban
would raise people's anxiety.

"If Gus Dur (the President) insists on his proposal, then he
could face impeachment. In my opinion, the House of
Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly will
resist it," he told journalists on the sidelines of a talk show
on the controversy.

He said allowing communist teachings to spread was a violation
of the first moral principle of the state ideology Pancasila,
which recognizes God.

"Fascism and communism owe their origins to the denial of
God's existence," Jumhur added.

The ban was imposed by the Assembly in 1966 when it was a
provisional body, following the aborted coup blamed on the
Indonesian Communist Party (PKI).

Political scientist Indria Samego, who chairs CIDES board of
directors, said he personally welcomed Abdurrahman's idea but he
doubted that it could comply with reality in society, where
communism had left agony and enmity.

"The revocation proposal is like two points of a knife for Gus
Dur. It could boost his popularity, but could also ruin his
administration," he remarked.

Abdul Qadir Djaelani, a House legislator representing the
Crescent Star Party (PBB), also chided the President's proposal,
saying that if the government let communism live in the country
it would lead to anarchy.

"If such teachings are allowed to spread, the party will
withdraw from the Cabinet and we will strongly oppose Gus Dur's
administration," Djaelani said.

Noted cultural observer Taufik Ismail joined the chorus of
opposition, saying there was no agreement between Abdurrahman's
argument to lift the ban and the facts in countries that uphold
communism.

"None of the 24 communist countries across the world uphold
democracy and human rights. They fail to promote democratization
and recognize human rights," Taufik remarked.

He pointed out that the countries practiced authoritarianism
in allowing their leaders to rule for long periods of time.

Citing the outcome of four research studies on communist
countries, Taufik said 100 million people had been killed in
those societies.

"The societies do not recognize human rights at all," he said.

Sumarno Dipodisastro, a former activist of a student movement
that helped the New Order take over the power in 1966, criticized
people who rushed to their own conclusions without fully
understanding the content of the Assembly decree on the communist
ban.

"The decree bans the existence of PKI and the spread of
communist teachings. But, actually, it allows communism to be
taught as an academic discourse at universities," he said.

Support came from Imam Ahmad, the director of the Institution
for Economic and Social Research, Education and Information
(LP3ES), who said that the fear of the return of PKI or other
parties to replace the state ideology was exaggerated.

He insisted that communist teachings had failed to create
wealthy and just communities.

"History shows that communism has failed to win people's
hearts. I don't think communist parties will sell, without having
to impose the ban," he said.

House legislator Taufikurrahman Saleh of the National
Awakening Party (PKB), which was founded by Abdurrahman, was more
cautious in response to the proposal, saying his party was still
studying the matter.

"If we fully comprehend the meaning of democracy, any teaching
has the right to exist. But the ban, which reflects people's
aspirations, is also part of democracy," he said.

Another House legislator, Pramono Anung of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), played down
people's anxiety resulting from the President's proposal.

"He is not serious, because if he is, the Assembly's working
committee should have discussed the issue. Anyway, he has
succeeded in opening people's minds about the matter," he said in
a separate seminar. (01)