Governor plans to celebrate Gus Dur's win

Governor plans to celebrate Gus Dur's win

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Governor Sutiyoso warmly welcomed on
Wednesday noted Muslim figure Abdurrahman Wahid as the country's
new President for the next five years, saying he planned to hold
a mass gathering to celebrate the smooth and safe process of the
General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR).

"The gathering may be held at City Hall or at the National
Monument (Monas) park as soon as the Assembly is over," Sutiyoso
said.

The two places are located next to each other on Jl. Medan
Merdeka in Central Jakarta.

He said that he would also invite leaders of political parties
and informal leaders to the gathering.

"The gathering should of course be attended by any Jakartans."

Sutiyoso was sure that the appointment of Abdurrahman as the
country's fourth President would not create further reaction from
supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan).

Chairwoman of the party, Megawati Soekarnoputri, failed to win
the presidential election at the People's Consultative Assembly
in the afternoon which later sparked tension in the capital.

Sutiyoso said the heated situation on Wednesday would not
worsen as another strong candidate in the election, who was
strongly opposed by PDI Perjuangan supporters, resigned.

The governor did not offer a name, but probably referred to
B.J. Habibie from the Golkar Party.

Sutiyoso therefore called on Megawati supporters to
immediately leave the streets, including the Hotel Indonesia
traffic circle in Central Jakarta.

He also urged leaders of all political parties to calm their
respective supporters.

"The presidential election was conducted in a democratic way.
We should all learn how to accept a loss," he said.

Like many government buildings across the country, there were
no activities at the Jakarta administration office.

Employees used the day to watch live broadcasts of the
presidential process from available television sets.

Sutiyoso arrived an hour late to inaugurate a student sport
contingent as he was watching the election.

The governor said on Tuesday that a state of civil emergency
would possibly be applied if the situation in the city became
chaotic.

"We may declare a state of civil emergency if the situation
grows worse. We have the procedures to apply the state of
emergency law," he said.

However, he said that a state of civil emergency should be
considered only as a last resort. (jun)