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)