Gus Dur denies reports on reshuffle

JAKARTA (JP): For President Abdurrahman Wahid, a Cabinet shake-up is simply a matter of wording.

In yet another dismissal of media reports of an impending reshuffle of his almost three-month-old Cabinet, Abdurrahman said on Monday such speculation was baseless. But he quickly added that if necessary he might make some minor changes to his 35- member Cabinet.

"Why trust the newspapers? I myself never talked about a reshuffle. You must fully realize that," Abdurrahman said in describing a recent conversation he had with People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, who was seeking confirmation of the reported shake-up.

At a media briefing at Bina Graha presidential office on Monday, the President said he would replace ministers in the future if they were found guilty by a court of law of committing a crime.

"During the trial or inquiry the minister may have to temporarily leave the Cabinet. After the sentence is heard, he or she should resign from the Cabinet.

"That does not mean that the whole Cabinet will be reshuffled," Abdurrahman said.

When asked about Japanese press reports that he would fire Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs and Security Gen. Wiranto, Abdurrahman replied: "Pak Wiranto is still a minister."

Wiranto, along with eight active and retired military officers, has been questioned by the Commission of Inquiry into Human Rights Violations in East Timor.

Japanese media, including Kyodo news agency, quoted the chairman of the Japan-Indonesia Parliament Friendship League, Taku Yamasaki, as saying that Abdurrahman told him during a meeting over the weekend of plans to remove Wiranto from the Cabinet. Abdurrahman met with Yamasaki on Saturday.

"There will be no reshuffle, the Cabinet remains intact," the President said on Monday.

Wiranto himself has denied that he will resign from the Cabinet. The former Indonesian Military (TNI) chief last met with the President on Saturday evening, when they attended a gathering of the Maluku community in Jakarta.

Coup

When asked about rumors of a military coup, Abdurrahman replied: "I don't think there will be a coup."

However, he quickly added that he would not hesitate to take stern measures against any attempts to topple his government.

He expressed his gratitude for the support expressed by several foreign countries, including the United States and Japan, which have conveyed their concerns over the possibility of a coup in Indonesia.

Abdurrahman said he received a similar message of support from the president of a foreign country he refused to identify.

"We respect and take (the warnings) carefully. It does not mean that we are lackeys that the U.S. can do anything to," the President said.

He also played down senior American diplomat Richard Holbrooke's warning against a military putsch, saying Holbrooke was merely expressing his concern as a friend.

"He warned the military in Indonesia against undermining the government, we appreciate that. We appreciate other countries which feel the same ... But we are free to do whatever we want."

Separately, military top brass, including TNI chief Adm. Widodo A.S., lashed out at rumors of a coup, saying they were aimed at discrediting the military.

"Who attempts a coup? History tells us that TNI never attempted a coup," Widodo said after attending a hearing with the Supreme Advisory Council. "There is no wish or even the thought of such an idea."

Speaking to journalists after meeting with members of the General Elections Commission, TNI Chief of Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo voiced similar sentiments.

"I read it in newspapers. There is no such plan (for a military coup). I can assure you of that because I am inside the TNI and we are not making such plans.

"TNI cannot work alone for its own benefit. This is our basic guideline," he said.

Amien Rais also played down the possibility of a military coup, saying such an action was against TNI's nature.

"A mother won't kill her baby. It only happens if the mother goes insane," Amien said. "The coup doesn't make any sense." (04/jun/emf/prb)