Gus Dur told to be more circumspect

JAKARTA (JP): One-year into the new government, House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tanjung acquiesced that President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's enigmatic behavior was an inexorable trait.

Akbar conceded that while his outbursts were often frustrating and disturbing, "it is difficult to change".

"This pattern has shown no signs of changing," lamented Akbar, who is also chairman of the Golkar Party, during a discussion at The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

Akbar remarked that the President seemed sometimes to forget his role and that the nation listens to his every word. Thus comments made by the head of state should be more freshening and uplifting rather than adding to the already confusing and depressing state of affairs.

"He should be more careful with his statements, be more sensitive".

"When he speaks he should give hope... People are already in difficult situations, the only remedy that can keep them going is hope. So why make it more difficult on people who are already facing difficulties," Akbar said.

Legislators have repeatedly reproached the President for his confusing outbursts.

During the General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly in August almost all factions officially complained about the President's enigmatic behavior, which, according to some, has not helped induce a positive and stable climate in the country.

However, when pressed during Thursday's discussion if Abdurrahman could still be tolerated and retained as President despite his behavioral relapses, Akbar replied that as long as there were no constitutional violations then he should be retained.

"Constitutionally he should be maintained, as long as there are no violations, (and) as long as he is medically fit to govern," he said, while stressing that the constitution should be the benchmark for assessing the need for any drastic move.

"We don't want to create a precedent where we topple someone but cannot account for the action," he remarked.

"If the impact of his statements worsen the situation the House can warn the President again," Akbar said.

Akbar noted that the House had come very far in balancing its relationship vis-a-vis the executive branch and that the current rambunctious legislature was a far cry from the past.

He pointed out that legislators had already used its interpellation right, introduce bills and were beginning an investigation into several scandals believed to be related to the President.

The President also now has to consult the House when appointing high state officials, ambassadors along with the chief of the Indonesian Military and National Police.

Akbar added that these efforts were also conducted to ensure that the empowerment of the House is embodied in the Constitution.

"It has been executive-heavy for such a long time. We are now ensuring checks and various balances," he remarked.(jun/mds)