Limited objection to second censure
Limited objection to second censure
PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): House of Representatives (DPR)
Speaker Akbar Tandjung signaled that political objection to the
issuance of a second memorandum of censure against President
Abdurrahman Wahid on April 30 was negligible.
Speaking during a visit here on Saturday, Akbar, who is also
chairman of the Golkar Party, said the only significant
opposition would likely come from the President's National
Awakening Party (PKB).
"Looking at the current climate, most of the factions, with
the exception of PKB, tend to agree with a second memorandum,"
claimed Akbar, who was in Padang to attend a party meeting.
He brushed aside threats of a mass wave of Abdurrahman
supporters entering Jakarta, saying that such actions were only a
reflection of how confused the President was in facing the
criticism.
Akbar further called for Abdurrahman to stop making
controversial statements, warning that his ongoing comments were
only undermining attempts to pacify the heated political climate.
He remarked that even the much-touted dialog between political
leaders was being jeopardized by the President's unmeasured
jibes.
"Gus Dur should stop causing controversy so people can cool
down and the political elite can work out a solution," he said.
"His statements are effecting whatever chances of dialog
exist, so that eventually (if it is held) it will not produce
anything effective," Akbar added.
"Do you think the political elite can really meet under the
cloud of such statements?"
Abdurrahman's camp has been trying to convene a dialog between
political friends and foes in a bid to resolve the political
crisis and possibly ensure the survival of his leadership.
However, contentiously, the meeting seems to have overlooked
the presence of People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien
Rais, who is known to be the President's harshest critic.
In Yogyakarta on Sunday, Amien boasted that such a meeting
would never materialize in his absence.
"I have a feeling that it won't be held," he said.
Amien claimed that senior political leaders such as Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, United Development Party (PPP)
chief Hamzah Haz and Akbar Tandjung are fully aware of
Abdurrahman's tactics.
"I think Abdurrahman likes to continue dreaming. By not
inviting me he thinks that they cannot be critical of him,"
suggested Amien, who chairs the National Mandate Party (PAN).
"He's choosing the wrong way of doing things," Amien further
stated, suggesting that Abdurrahman's presidential days are
numbered.
"The House will obviously issue a second memorandum and after
that the Assembly will soon hold a special session. Insya Allah
(God willing) Megawati will soon become president," he said.
Separately, House deputy speaker Soetardjo Soerjoguritno also
said that the issuance of a second memorandum is "100 percent
certain".
"Nine, or at least eight (out of 10), House factions have
talked about it," said Soetardjo, who represents the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).
Meanwhile in Jakarta, PKB deputy chairman Alwi Shihab told The
Jakarta Post that he was confident the dialog would go ahead as
planned in the next two or three days.
"We will arrange the meeting again as there have also been
suggestions to hold the meeting directly between the top leaders,
without being preceded by a meeting of senior officials," Alwi,
who is also the minister of foreign affairs, said on Sunday.
He said all parties, with the exception of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), had appointed
representatives to join the senior officials' meeting.
The Golkar Party would be represented by Mahadi Sinambela and
Theo L. Sambuaga, the PPP by Ali Marwan Hanan and Faisal Baasir,
the PKB by Alwi and Ali Masykur Moesa, while Hari Sabarno and
Budi Santoso would represent the Indonesian Military.
"Only the National Mandate Party (PAN) submitted one name and
that would be Abdillah Thoha," he remarked. (dja)