Gus Dur told to be more circumspect

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)