Megawati gets moral boost from leaders of major parties

JAKARTA (JP): Leaders of major political parties met on Sunday at the private residence of presidential hopeful Megawati Soekarnoputri in Kebagusan, South Jakarta, to give necessary political support in her fight for the presidential seat.

Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung, United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais, Crescent Star Party (PBB) chairman Yusril Ihza Mahendra and Justice Party president Hidayat Noer Wahid attended the meeting.

Dismissed National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Matori Abdul Djalil also attended the meeting, although it was unclear which party he represented.

Another participant of the meeting was the Indonesian Military and National Police faction chairman at the People's Consultative Assembly, Hari Sabarno.

After the meeting, Vice President Megawati, the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), broke her silence and spoke to journalists.

"Today, I held a meeting at my home to show the unity among political party leaders. This is just a get-together," Megawati said, before asking Amien to elaborate on the results of the meeting.

Amien, who is also the Assembly speaker, said the meeting was aimed at creating a sense of togetherness among leaders of major political parties ahead of the Assembly special session and to cement political support for Megawati.

"God willing, the special session will, in not too long a time, result in a new national leadership.

"We agree to give our moral support to Ibu Megawati so that her government will be stable, just and productive and can restore confidence to the people, which has now faded from the current government," he said.

He further said that the meeting also discussed major issues that should be prioritized by Megawati if she replaces President Abdurrahman Wahid, who could be ousted during the special session.

The major issues that should be addressed soon by Megawati include threats of national disintegration and how to speed up the country's economic recovery.

Akbar said that the meeting gave Megawati political support until 2004 as political stability would be significantly needed to get the country out of its current hardships.

Later, PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Soetjipto said that although the guarantee for Megawati to lead the country until 2004 was not explicitly decided on, all party leaders agreed that it was important to have political stability until that time.

The Assembly has invited President Abdurrahman to present his accountability speech before the Assembly on Monday, the first day of the special session.

If the Assembly rejects the President's accountability speech, as it appears likely to do, Megawati will then be appointed president.

Political leaders attending the meeting at Megawati's residence agreed to explore the possibility of postponing the election of vice president until the Assembly meets in October for an annual session if Megawati becomes president.

Akbar suggested that the Assembly special session concentrate only on the President's accountability speech.

"We are considering electing the new vice president during the Assembly annual session in October," Akbar, who is also the speaker of the House of Representatives, said.

Amien also said that all political leaders agreed to follow the constitutional process to elect a new vice president, should the position be left vacant after the special session.

Soetjipto added that the proposed postponement of the election of vice president was to avoid public misperception that the special session would be used as a venue for horse trading among political parties.

An executive of PDI Perjuangan, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the reason to delay the election of vice president was prompted by the fact that political leaders could not reach an agreement on who should have the vice presidential seat.

The official said Akbar and Amien preferred that the position remain empty until the end of the next government's tenure in 2004, while Megawati was open to the possibilities suggested by other parties. (dja)