Efforts to expedite special session fail

Efforts to expedite special session fail

JAKARTA (JP): Antigovernment demonstrators who had been
camping out at the House of Representatives complex dispersed on
Wednesday after minority factions in the People's Consultative
Assembly scuttled attempts to expedite a special session which
could impeach President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, who presided over a meeting of
the factions on Wednesday, confirmed the divisions among them
over the acceleration of the special session.

But he quickly stressed that the factions had agreed that a
special session would be necessary in the coming months.

"Due to the absence of constitutional grounds, the House
should continue with the process leading to a second memorandum,"
Amien said.

Sutjipto, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle
(PDI Perjuangan) faction, said his faction would support a
special session only if it were convened in accordance with the
Constitution.

The House recently issued a memorandum censuring the President
for his alleged involvement in two financial scandals. The
President has three months in which to respond.

A second memorandum of censure can be issued after that, and a
month later the House can propose that the Assembly convene a
special session.

But factions such as those representing the Reform Party,
United Development Party (PPP) and Crescent Star Party (PBB),
have been calling for the immediate special session.

"The House could call for an expedited special session due to
the chaotic situation as provided for under Article 50 of the
House's internal rules," Muchtar Luthfi, chairman of the Reform
faction, said.

Other factions, however, seemed more cautious.

Maj. Gen. Budi Harsono representing the Indonesian
Military/National Police faction said that they did not support
bringing forward a special session.

"Our faction's main concern is to salvage the nation and the
state, instead of short-term political objectives," he said.

Similarly Harun Khamil, Assembly deputy speaker representing
the Societal Groups faction, also stressed that the House should
first follow through with the censure process.

Fahmi Idris, chairman of the Golkar Party faction, said: "It's
better to wait until a second memorandum of censure has been
issued by the House in May."

Rallies

As news spread that no consensus could be reached, the
students who had been camping in the grounds of the House for two
nights began to disperse.

But they remained defiant and pledged to continue their
struggle.

On Wednesday it was pro-Abdurrahman supporters who grabbed the
limelight as hundreds of them gathered in front of the state
palace in support of the President.

Many claimed to have traveled from outside Jakarta, from
places such as Pasuruan and Malang in East Java, Pekalongan and
Cilacap in Central Java and Cirebon and Purwakarta in West Java.

Many were armed with bamboo canes in anticipation of clashes
with opposing demonstrators.

Later in the afternoon, the police bomb squad was called after
a suspicious package was found near the palace.

"This package really spooked the demonstrators. We're still
investigating the matter," Gambir Police chief Comr. Nurhadi
said.

The police refused to say if the package contained explosives.

City police chief Insp. Gen. Mulyono Sulaiman said that no
more than 4,000 police officers would be deployed in Greater
Jakarta on Thursday to anticipate further rallies.

"We will not increase this normal number unless there's an
absolute necessity," Mulyono told The Jakarta Post.

"There are rumors that there will be mass demonstrations by
City Forum (Forkot) and their friends, but there's been no
confirmation as yet," he said.

Meanwhile, scuffles broke out between marchers from the
Student Executive Boards (BEMs) and students from Bung Karno
University near the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation's offices in
Central Jakarta.

About 17 students were detained.

Elsewhere, in Makassar, South Sulawesi, students took to the
streets to demand Abdurrahman's resignation. The protest resulted
in traffic congestion for two hours around midday.

The protesters included students from the Indonesian Muslim
Students Front Movement (KAMMI), Reform Salvation Council, the
Student Executive Boards, and different universities.

In Semarang, Central Java, 200 students from the local Student
Executive Boards swarmed the grounds of the provincial
legislative council building urging the members of the political
elite to unite and focus on the welfare of the people instead of
merely demanding Abdurrahman's resignation.

Separately, another 50 students from the National Students'
League for Democracy gathered to condemn violence committed by
demonstrators.

"We urge all people to open anti-New Order command posts to
pave the way towards real democracy," Simon, the coordinator
said, adding that the group wanted the Golkar party to be
disbanded. (01/27/rms/ylt/har/sur)