Gus Dur repeats threats after Friday prayers

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid claimed on Friday that he has not run out of ammunition that could foil an attempt by the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to impeach him or restrict his power.

Speaking in a public dialog after attending Friday prayers at the presidential palace's Baiturrahim Mosque, the President boasted of having an abundance of retaliation options, which included the possibility of calling an early general election.

"Therefore, I hope the MPR special session will never happen," the President said when asked about his stance over the planned session, which has requested his accountability for the government's performance.

Abdurrahman, however, refused to elaborate on his plan of action against the Assembly for fear that it would trigger countermeasures by his political foes.

"An Arabic proverb says your secret is your hostage. If you reveal the secret, you'll then be held hostage by it. I do not want to discharge my captive," Abdurrahman added.

Abdurrahman reiterated that he would not tolerate any attempts by the Assembly to demand his report of accountability, saying such a move was a gross violation of the 1945 Constitution.

He also said he would oppose the Assembly's possible plan to issue a special decree, ruling a division of duties and responsibilities between him and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

According to the President, he had sent a senior minister to convey his message to the leaders of major political parties.

"What if this (his demand) is not accepted? I have so many options, which I do not need to disclose here, starting with the bringing forward of the general election," the President said.

Abdurrahman lashed out at the House of Representatives (DPR) for its endless criticism of his administration.

"I would be very grateful if the DPR were ready to make a commitment or to concentrate on its legislative functions," he said.

Meanwhile, senior executives of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and the Golkar Party dismissed the President's threat to hold early general elections, saying the President had no authority to unilaterally reschedule the general election ahead of 2004.

"While the political laws are being reviewed by the House, the newly established General Elections Commission is not ready to organize earlier elections," Pramono Anung Wibowo, deputy chairman of PDI Perjuangan, said.

Syamsul Muarif, chairman of the Golkar faction in the House, suggested that Abdurrahman stick to the Constitution in seeking solutions to the political crisis.

He added that the authority to call for an early general election was in the hands of the Assembly.

"If the President wants to bring the 2004 general election forward, he should propose it to the Assembly," Syamsul remarked.

Separately, the Assembly's leadership decided on Friday that the special session would be held as scheduled on Aug. 1 and would only be brought forward under extraordinary circumstances.

"We maintain our decision not to bring forward the special session and we remain firm on the Aug. 1 schedule," Amien said after chairing the leadership meeting.

Amien hinted that an early special session would only be held if there were dramatic changes in the economy, politics, security and defense, including dissolution of the legislature, which could disrupt security nationwide.

In Yogyakarta, political analyst Ichlasul Amal supported a plan to bring forward the MPR special session on grounds that political uncertainty had caused considerable damage to the economy.

"Political uncertainty must be stopped by an early MPR special session. People can no longer maintain their patience as they have already long endured a hard life," he said on Friday.

Amal, also Gadjah Mada University's rector, said that, over the past month, Abdurrahman had never displayed political determination that could end the uncertainty.

Separately, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi asserted that he would never stop trying to facilitate a compromise between the disputing political leaders.

Speaking at a mass prayer in Klaten, Central Java, on Thursday evening, Hasyim said that the ongoing political conflict was more related to the possession of power and economic resources than the people's interests. (44/rms/prb)