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)