Legislators go on the attack again

Legislators go on the attack again

JAKARTA (JP): The wave of recriminations against President
Abdurrahman Wahid further increased on Tuesday when a petition
signed by 151 legislators was submitted, charging that the
President had violated the State Guidelines.

Legislators submitted their petition to a plenary session of
the House of Representatives here on Tuesday and proposed the use
of the House's right of opinion on the matter.

While the use of such a right of opinion may not have
immediate formal consequences for the President, it would further
blemish his record at a time when he is required to make an
accountability statement.

It is especially timely given that Abdurrahman's embattled
presidential future seems to be hanging in the balance, with the
prospect of a second memorandum against him drawing nearer.

The proposal was officially submitted by United Ummah
Sovereignty (F-PDU) faction legislator Mudahan Hazdie who charged
that Abdurrahman had violated three laws and five decrees of the
People's Consultative Assembly.

"The House considers President Abdurrahman Wahid had
verifiably violated the State Guidelines established by the
Constitution and Assembly decrees," Mudahan, who was speaking on
behalf of the 151 legislators, told the plenary session.

Mudahan also noted that plans to propose the use of the right
of opinion had also been mentioned to the House speaker on Nov.
29.

He claimed that based on the presidential oath, as stipulated
in the 1945 Constitution, which requires the President to
faithfully implement the law and other regulations, the
President's actions can thus be considered a violation of the
Constitution.

The President was deemed to have violated three laws:
No.4/1999 by refusing to explain to the House the dismissal of
two economic ministers in April; No.23/1999 by interfering with
the Central Bank in demanding its Governor Sjahril Sabirin
resign; and by condoning acts of anarchy and violence when he
suggested demonstrators protest and pelt former president
Soeharto's residence, while police were instructed not to
intervene.

Assembly decree violations included Abdurrahman's proposal to
revoke Decree No. 25/1966 on the banning of Communism, and for
dismissing and appointing in October a new National Police chief
without consulting the House as required by Decree No. 7/2000.

Abdurrahman was further charged with failing to faithfully
carry out Decree No. 11/1998 on eradicating corruption, collusion
and nepotism, particularly in delaying legal proceedings against
three business tycoons -- Prajogo Pangestu, Marimutu Sinivasan
and Sjamsul Nursalim -- suspected of these practices.

The President was also said to have violated Decree No. 8/2000
in neglecting national security by not paying serious attention
to conflicts in areas such as Aceh and continuing his foreign
tour despite the bloody ethnic clash in Central Kalimantan last
month.

Abdurrahman was also alleged to have failed in implementing a
decree on the delegation of power to the Vice President.

"We hope the House can make a decision on this proposal to
save the Indonesian nation and state from the threat of
destruction," Mudahan said in closing his statement.

While the legislators mounted their political attack on the
President, some 1,000 supporters of Abdurrahman gathered outside
the House compound to demand the House revoke its memorandum
against him.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung who later met the protesters in
response to their demand said: "You can do anything to me, but I
can't revoke the memorandum."

Elsewhere, in Surabaya, East Java, ulemas from the Nahdlatul
Ulama (NU) law making body Pengurus Syuriah said they would meet
to discuss punishment for those opposing Abdurrahman, who chaired
the Muslim organization for some 15-years.

Chairman of NU's East Java chapter, Ali Maschan Moesa, said
the meeting of ulemas would take place in Malang on April 4.

"NU members and supporters have been waiting for clear
guidance to deal with those opposing Gus Dur," Ali said.

Some ulemas have suggested actions against Abdurrahman were
rebellious, or bughot. "Logically such action must be confronted.
NU supporters want firm guidance and direction."
(nur/sur/dja/ylt)