Emergency threat still possible: Akbar Tanjung

Emergency threat still possible: Akbar Tanjung

JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
warned on Tuesday that President Abdurrahman Wahid may still
carry out his threat of imposing a state of emergency, despite
the plan even attracting strong opposition from his own Cabinet.

Akbar, who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, hinted that
the House would respond quickly if the President declared the
emergency status, asking the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
to immediately convene a special session.

"It is still possible for Gus Dur to impose the measure. We
have to anticipate all possibilities," Akbar remarked.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
Affairs Lt. Gen. (ret) Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has disclosed
that the President was, up until Monday, still determined to
impose a civil emergency status and issue an edict dissolving the
House if censure proceedings calling for an Assembly special
session proceeded.

The House will convene a plenary session on Wednesday to
determine whether a special session will be requested.

"If the President ultimately decides to issue the emergency
edict, as well as dissolving state agencies like the House, we
will invite faction leaders in the House to expedite the special
session procedure," Akbar said.

During such a crisis, the Assembly does not need to wait for
two months before convening a special session to ask for the
President's accountability report, as ruled by Assembly Decree
No. 2/2000, Akbar insisted.

Meanwhile, the All Indonesian Students Body (BEM-SI) urged
Abdurrahman to relinquish his power in a constitutional way.

In a statement read out by the group's spokesman Agus
Timorwoko, the students not only condemned the President's
emergency plan but also the executive order issued to Susilo on
Monday, authorizing him to take measures to restore the country's
security and order.

"The executive order is one of his scorched-earth maneuvers
while counting his last days in office, providing a way for the
military and police to reenter the political arena," Agus said.

The students demanded Gus Dur resign because it was less risky
compared to facing a special session of the Assembly.

Meanwhile, discontent over the executive order grew within the
President's team, with Harun Al-Rasyid announcing his resignation
as a presidential legal advisor in protest.

"I conclude that the President no longer needs a legal
adviser," Harun contended, adding that he was not consulted on
the decision.

Despite Harun's remarks, presidential spokesman Yahya C.
Staquf insisted that Harun was still a member of the President's
legal advisory team.

Meanwhile, in Yogyakarta, political observer Pratikno and
sociologist Susetiawan, both from Gadjah Mada University, warned
of the implications of the executive order.

Pratikno feared that it was a means for Abdurrahman to gain
political leverage by seeking "immunity" from the attacks of
political foes by shielding under the military.

Pratikno added, however, that it was unclear whether or not
the military would welcome the executive order.

"This depends on Susilo's influence in the military," Pratikno
noted.

Susetiawan urged both Abdurrahman and Megawati Soekarnoputri
to put national unity and the democratization process above
political interests.

"If the two figures show up as good friends their supporters
will follow, because they are still parental figures," Susetiawan
said. (dja/bby/44)