I'm not ambitious to become president, says Megawati

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri affirmed on Sunday her readiness to lead the country as mandated by the party.

Speaking to tens of thousands of her supporters in Malang, East Java, through a teleconference facility from her residence in Central Jakarta, Megawati reiterated that it was not her personal ambition to become president.

"The last two party congresses -- the highest organ of the party -- in Bali and Semarang (Central Java) both mandated me to become president.

"The reality is that I have no ambition to become president except so as to fulfill the party's mandate," Megawati told the crowd clad in red to mark the party's 28th anniversary.

Vice President Megawati is widely expected to take over the presidency from President Abdurrahman Wahid within months as the President moves closer to impeachment following the issuance of two memorandums of censure against him by the House of Representatives for corruption and incompetence.

As the largest party in the country, PDI Perjuangan played a pivotal role in the issuance of both censures.

Megawati's approval for her party to support the two censures of the President has been viewed by many as part of her moves to take over the presidency from the embattled Abdurrahman, her long-time friend.

Megawati had been scheduled to address the rally in person but canceled the engagement at the last minute because of fluid political developments in the capital following persistent rumors that the President would issue a presidential edict dissolving the House and calling a snap election.

In her 25-minute speech, Megawati also rejected suggestions of holding such a snap election, saying that it would only prolong the political uncertainty in the country.

"The bringing forward of the general election is not the way to solve the current political problems as it would only prolong the uncertainty and be detrimental to the public," she asserted.

Megawati, in her speech, also rebuked members of the political elite who could not guard their tongues and refrain from making contentious remarks that were only provoking conflict among the people.

"So now, let us think about it, who are the people who keep talking, confusing the public and bringing chaos to the whole country?" she asked.

She also urged her supporters to refrain from violence and avoid all kinds of anarchic actions against other groups as "unity will be the best way to lead the country out of the current crisis."

"Before we ask other groups to join hands with us, we should consolidate ourselves so as to find solutions to the country's problems. Without unity, it will be very difficult for us to get out of the current mess," she remarked. (dja)