Gus Dur renews threat to declare civil emergency
JAKARTA (JP): Although opposed by some Cabinet members and the House of Representatives, President Abdurrahman Wahid renewed on Friday his threat of declaring a state of civil emergency if his political foes continued with their impeachment drive.
The President said he had humiliated himself by accepting the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) next month, but vowed to no longer tolerate the Assembly's demand that he account for his government's poor performance.
Abdurrahman said he would oppose any agenda that would require him to account for his actions as President or entail a discussion on the division of duties as between the President and the Vice President.
"If that happens, whether you want it or not, as the President I will declare a state of civil emergency," Abdurrahman said during a public dialog, after performing Friday prayers at Al Munawwaroh Mosque near his private residence in Ciganjur, South Jakarta.
The President criticized the Assembly for ignoring the urgent problems facing the nation, focusing instead on ways to oust him from presidency.
"There are a lot of other topics they (MPR members) could discuss, such as taxes and the world situation. They don't need to worry about having nothing to talk about," the President said.
Major factions in the Assembly have anticipated a failure to put in an appearance on the part of Abdurrahman by preparing a draft decree that would allow the highest legislative body to revoke its mandate from the President.
The new threat came as Abdurrahman continued to offer to hold informal talks with party leaders in which they would be expected to discuss possible solutions to the prolonged standoff between the legislature and the executive.
Originally slated to take place on Saturday at the Bogor presidential palace, the meeting will almost certainly be delayed until Monday pending the return of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri from an official visit to Singapore.
"I don't know, maybe if she returns tonight (Friday) then we could have the meeting on Saturday. If not, it will be on Monday. We're not sure about it," Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
When asked whether Megawati had confirmed her attendance, Alwi said, "I don't know, only Pak Agum can reach her," referring to Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Agum Gumelar.
Megawati had yet to respond to the invitation.
Alwi further said that the Golkar Party Chairman Akbar Tandjung, the United Development Party (PPP) Chairman Hamzah Haz and the National Awakening Party (PKB) Chairman Matori Abdul Djalil had confirmed their attendance at the meeting.
Alwi also said that the President had not invited the Justice Party or Crescent Star Party leaders as they had already rejected the offer even before the invitations had been issued.
National Mandate Party (PAN) Chairman Amien Rais had also refused to attend the meeting, Alwi said.
In contrast to Alwi's claim, party leaders remained uncertain on Friday whether to attend the meeting or not, citing the absence of formal invitations from the President.
Akbar said he would accept Abdurrahman's invitation only after he returned from his official visit outside the capital on Sunday afternoon.
"I am still not sure about the date of the meeting, so I cannot say whether I will attend it or not," he said.
Unlike Akbar, Amien expressed his reluctance to participate in the meeting, citing his "very tight schedule".(dja/tso/prb)