Legislators, political observers split over Gus Dur's victory
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)