House Speaker criticizes President's calls for peace

JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives(DPR) Speaker Akbar Tandjung on Wednesday criticized President Abdurrahman Wahid's calls for peace, while letting his supporters throng the capital to express support for him.

He said he decided to refuse the invitation to accompany the President during his nationally televised address, slated for Friday, as the latter did not clarify the substance of his speech.

"The speech calling for peace is ironical. He (President Abdurrahman) calls for peace, but he lets his supporters throng the capital," Akbar told reporters.

"If it (the speech) is in the nation's interest, I think other political figures should be involved. If that were the case, I would reconsider my decision," he said.

"What is the relevance of my presence there if it is the President's task," he added.

The speech will be read by presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar.

Akbar disclosed on Tuesday that President Abdurrahman had asked him and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri to appear with him on television during his nationwide address to reduce political tension ahead of the House's plenary session on April 30.

The House, during the plenary session, will hear the factions' evaluation of the President's response to the memorandum of censure against him.

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)'s deputy secretary-general, Pramono Anung Wibowo, said separately that it was awkward for other political leaders to appear on television with the President during the speech.

"Especially when it is clear that it is not Gus Dur who will be delivering the speech, but the presidential spokesman," Pramono said.

A security coordination meeting at the House decided on Wednesday evening that the House compound would be off limits to demonstrators on April 30.

"On the day of the plenary session, only the legislators, journalists and related officials will be allowed to enter the compound," Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara said as quoted by SCTV, a private television station.

Police also announced plans to use 90 armored cars to evacuate lawmakers if street protests in the House vicinity turned violent during Monday's plenary session.

The plenary session will also determine whether to issue a second memorandum of censure against Abdurrahman, who is under increasing pressure to resign over his erratic style of leadership and alleged involvement in corruption.

A water-filled fiberglass barricade has also been set up to deter people from trying to breach the security cordon.

Several television stations will also broadcast the session so that people can watch it from their homes, the officer said.

Akbar said the House was determined to hold the plenary session in the DPR building.

A total of 7,000 police and military personnel will be deployed in vicinity of the DPR out of some 40,000 troops dispatched to safeguard the capital.

The coordination meeting also decided that the House would not receive any guests on April 30, saying that anyone attempting to forcefully enter the House compound, including by jumping over the fence or removing the water-filled barricade, would be shot by security officers.

Meanwhile, President Abdurrahman, and top Cabinet members and security officials went ahead with their weekly breakfast meeting at Megawati's official residence on Wednesday morning, despite the latter's absence.

Megawati is on a two-day working visit to Bali and scheduled to return to Jakarta on Wednesday evening.

Speaking to media after the meeting, Wimar said the President and top security officials discussed security preparations ahead of the April 30 House plenary session.

Wimar's statement came as security personnel deployed armored cars and reinforced security at the DPR building later in the day.

Present at the breakfast meeting were Indonesian Military chief Adm. Widodo A.S., three military chiefs of staff, the National Police chief Surojo Bimantoro, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and defense minister Mahfud M.D. (byg/edt)