Legislators, political observers split over Gus Dur's victory

JAKARTA (JP): Legislators and political observers lauded the democratic process at work in the election of Abdurrahman Wahid as president on Wednesday, but several expressed regret at the loss of highly favored Megawati Soekarnoputri.

A number of legislators hailed not only the democratic process of the election but the victory of Abdurrahman, widely known as Gus Dur, whose acceptability to most political and societal groupings is expected to enable him to cope with numerous problems confronting the country.

Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais hailed Abdurrahman's election as the country's fourth president to replace B.J. Habibie.

"I'm very grateful. After people now know that the fourth president is Gus Dur, both Habibie's and Megawati's supporters should accept the result," he said in a news conference after the presidential election.

Amien denied widespread speculation that Gus Dur would resign in the middle of his five-year term of office to hand over power to his vice president.

"Gus Dur has no intention of doing this," said Amien, whose Reform Faction nominated Abdurrahman as presidential candidate.

Syarwan Hamid, a regional representative in the MPR, said Abdurrahman was elected democratically in a legitimate election.

"I hope he will be able to maintain national unity and defuse the prolonged crisis," he said.

Syarwan, who some have alleged to have masterminded the violent takeover of the Indonesian Democratic Party's headquarters from Megawati's camp on July 27, 1996, said he appreciated Megawati's acceptance of Abdurrahman's win.

Deputy chairman of the United Development Party (PPP) Zarkasih Nur acknowledged that his party's faction supported Abdurrahman because of his acceptability to many groups.

"Our hope is that he will be able to solve numerous problems the nation is facing," he said, declaring Abdurrahman the right man for the presidency.

Priyo Budi Santoso of the Golkar Party said the major weakness of Megawati's camp was its "arrogance" in holding off from negotiating with other parties.

"This arrogance can be seen in the speeches and statements made by the party's senior officials in the early days of the presidential election process," he said.

Golkar deputy chairman Theo Sambuaga lauded Abdurrahman as a truly democratic and moderate figure.

"I'm not worried about the condition of his health. He's in perfect health. He's been able to follow the MPR General Session in the past few weeks both day and night," he said.

MPR Deputy Speaker Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno said the military accepted the election of Abdurrahman as the country's new president because he was elected through a democratic process.

"Whoever the president is, he or she will hold power over the military."

Guruh Soekarnoputra, a legislator from PDI Perjuangan, regretted his eldest sister's loss in the presidential race.

"I'm very sad. But I think it is a normal thing and Megawati can accept her loss in a democratic contest," he said.

Guruh said the loss would be a good lesson for PDI Perjuangan.

Abdul Madjid of PDI Perjuangan was also sorry about Megawati's defeat but said all sides, including his party, should respect the democratic election and its result.

"As a member of PDI Perjuangan, I am sad because of Megawati's defeat in the democratic presidential election. But I must respect the Assembly's majority support for Abdurrahman."

Nursyahbani Katjasungkana and Erna Witoelar, both from the interest group faction, said they were saddened by Megawati's defeat.

"Megawati is a popular woman figure among the people, especially the oppressed," said Erna.

Nursyahbani said Megawati should be involved in the next government because her party won largest votes in the June 7 general election.

"From the perspective of democracy, Megawati, whose party won the election, should have been given the first chance to form a government, but our Constitution stipulates a different ruling," she said.

Influential Muslim intellectual Nurcholish Madjid hailed the democratic presidential election regardless of the outcome.

"I believe Gus Dur will be able to form a credible government that should not be dominated by the central axis."

He said Abdurrahman was a nationally recognized figure who would be able to create national harmony and reconciliation.

He said Megawati's supporters should accept her loss in the presidential election because the party gained 34 percent of the vote in the general election which was short of a majority.

"Nevertheless, PDI Perjuangan has to be included in the government," he said.

A political observer from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Muhammad A.S. Hikam, called on the political elite and the people to accept the democratic presidential election and the elected president.

He also said Abdurrahman should initiate national reconciliation, including a visit to regions with strong support for either Habibie or Megawati.

"Gus Dur has to initiate national reconciliation to prevent the nation from disintegration," he said.

Indria Samego, also a political observer from LIPI, said that Abdurrahman was expected to be able to maintain national unity and solve problems in troubled areas of the country.

"In assuming his tenure, he will take on uphill challenges, especially the prolonged crisis and regional conflicts in Aceh, Ambon and Irian Jaya," he said. (02/05/byg/jsk/rei/rms)