House awaits Gus Dur's response

House awaits Gus Dur's response

JAKARTA (JP): A day after the House of Representatives passed a second motion to censure President Abdurrahman Wahid, leaders of major political parties sent mixed signals on whether they would proceed with a special session and impeachment hearings.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the largest faction in the House, indicated that it would wait for about two weeks before taking a clearer stance on the issue.

Citing instructions specifically from chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri, party secretary-general Sutjipto said all party executives were prohibited from publicly commenting on the impeachment scenario.

She also ordered her senior party members to retain a low profile attitude, although many observers and politicians regarded the party as the key to future proceedings, said Sutjipto.

"Ibu Mega told us to wait and see what develops over the next two weeks," said Sutjipto, after attending a weekly meeting at the party's headquarters on Jl. Pecenongan, Central Jakarta.

When asked directly about a possible impeachment plan, Sutjipto only replied, "Whether a special session will be held or not depends on the President's reply to the second memorandum of censure".

Sutjipto stressed that the point of contention was not merely the question of the presidential post, but the national leadership crisis which had brought the nation to an even worse economic situation.

Megawati's attendance at Tuesday's meeting was the first public appearance she had made after purportedly suffering from flu since Thursday.

One of the things to watch out for in the coming fortnight is a meeting of political party leaders to discuss the possible steps to be taken.

"We discussed a possible meeting between political party chairmen to anticipate our next steps," Soetjipto added.

It will be interesting to see whether Abdurrahman and Megawati stick to their traditional Wednesday morning breakfast meeting at the Vice President's residence.

The House issued on Monday a second memorandum against the President, bringing him one step closer to the convening of a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly and possible impeachment hearings.

The two largest factions in the House, PDI Perjuangan and the Golkar Party, threw their absolute weight behind the motion, with the only noteworthy opposition coming from the President's own National Awakening Party.

On Tuesday afternoon House Secretary-General Sri Sumaryati formally handed over the second memorandum to the President.

The one page document had been signed by House Speaker Akbar Tandjung.

Reply

Meanwhile House speaker Akbar Tandjung, while stressing that everything now depended on how the President responds, questioned whether Abdurrahman could significantly improve his performance within a month.

"I'm not sure whether he could do it," Akbar told journalists on Tuesday.

Akbar, who is also Golkar Party chairman, said theoretically Abdurrahman had a chance.

"We can evaluate whether the President is able to improve his cooperation with the House, reform the management of his government, or avoid making controversial statements. We also want to see his reaction over the second censure," said Akbar.

Akbar also said that it would be preferable for Abdurrahman to respond to the second censure, although the President was not obliged to do so.

Separately, Assembly speaker Amien Rais, one of Abdurrahman's harshest critics, said again that the only option left was for the President to resign.

"Dismissing the President through an Assembly special session would be very traumatic not only for the country, but also for him personally," Amien remarked.

So far Abdurrahman has been tight-lipped over the censure, with aides saying that he was awaiting a report and recommendations from a team of Cabinet ministers led by Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

On Tuesday afternoon the President met with senior Cabinet ministers to hear their recommendations.

Apart from Susilo, also attending were Defense Minister Mahfud MD, Foreign Minister Alwi Shihab, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Baharuddin Lopa and Attorney General Marzuki Darusman.

"The President is now still studying, considering and pondering his next step and his response to the House second memorandum," Susilo told journalists after the meeting.

"I think it would be unethical if I disclosed them (the recommendations) to the media, but clearly, they are all constructive," Susilo replied when asked about his advice.

Palace officials said state-owned TVRI would air a recorded speech from the President at 7 p.m. this evening, in which he would be expected to comment on the censure.(dja/byg/rms/prb)