Gus Dur may seek Supreme Court's help

JAKARTA (JP): In another desperate attempt at survival, President Abdurrahman has turned to the Supreme Court for legal assistance in facing the House of Representatives (DPR).

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa intimated on Monday that the President might ask the Supreme Court to issue a ruling on the legality of the House special committee that probed Abdurrahman's alleged role in two financial scandals known as Bulogate and Bruneigate.

"When there is a dispute on legal matters (between the President and the House), the Supreme Court may intervene by issuing an opinion on the source of the conflict," Lopa said on the sidelines of a hearing with the House.

"As the highest judicial organ, I think the Supreme Court can issue a ruling to settle any legal disputes, especially in a case such as this where there is worsening antagonism between the President and the House."

The President had reportedly planned to impose a state of emergency, which would have enabled him to dissolve the House, but this was rejected by the military and major political parties.

Abdurrahman's political life is in danger as the House is scheduled to convene later this month to evaluate the President's response to the House's second memorandum of censure.

The House issued the second censure on April 30 after it concluded that the President had failed to heed the initial rebuke handed to him some three months previously.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung has repeatedly hinted that the House will call for the impeachment of the President by asking the People' Consultative Assembly (MPR) to convene a special session demanding that the President account for his actions.

Abdurrahman has repeatedly protested his innocence and slammed the House special committee set up to probe his alleged links with the two financial scandals as being illegal.

If the Supreme Court agrees with the President regarding the existence of the committees, then the House will have to drop its censures.

Newly inducted Supreme Court Chief Justice Bagir Manan, however, has insisted that the court would stay aloof from political issues.

When asked whether such a Supreme Court ruling would be binding, Baharuddin replied: "Of course, both parties would be expected to abide by it". (prb)