Megawati never sets terms: PDI-P

Megawati never sets terms: PDI-P

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) on Monday denied reports that Vice President and
party' chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri has stipulated three
requirements as conditions to take over the presidency from the
embattled Abdurrahman Wahid.

"Ibu Megawati has never set any terms in the ongoing political
process. We stick to constitutional process as it has been the
party's choice to go through with the memorandum process," PDI
Perjuangan's deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung Wibowo said.

However, he underlined that in political discourse it is
common practice to have political consensus. This is needed for
the sake of national stability at least until 2004, the end of
Abdurrahman's terms of office, in an effort to save the country's
future.

"Within political discourse actually it is understandable that
the commitment to save the country at least until 2004 should be
our major choice and should be a commitment for all of us. And we
should stick to it," Pramono said.

"However, PDI Perjuangan has no intention at all of basing our
political decisions on set terms," he added.

Pramono was commenting on a report published by Media
Indonesia daily, which quoted an unnamed source, that Megawati
had spelled out the three conditions to rival party leaders.

It quoted the source as saying that Megawati was only prepared
to accept the presidency if the vice presidential seat be left
vacant, the annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) be dropped, and other parties agreed not to "disturb" her
until 2004, when the next elections are scheduled.

Pramono further said that in politics no such commitment could
be provided or asked for by political parties, citing that there
was only political consensus.

"But, so far ibu Megawati has never mentioned such terms in
the party's meeting," he said.

Another PDI Perjuangan executive Jacob Tobing echoed Pramono,
saying that the three conditions mentioned have repeatedly been
raised by the party in the House of Representatives' ad-hoc
committee on the amendment of the 1945 Constitution.

"All of the three conditions mentioned are the party's actual
stance ... they are common," Jacob, who is also chairman of the
ad-hoc committee told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

"We keep repeating our stance in the committee's sessions and
hearings. Besides, it is common to say that if something happens
to the president, then the vice president should remain as
president until the end of the (president's) term," he said.

He also pointed out that eliminating the annual session of the
Assembly and keep the vice presidential seat empty until the end
of the tenure is common practice.

Meanwhile, Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung strongly
indicated that he could accept the three conditions demanded by
Megawati if she was asked to replace President Abdurrahman.

Akbar, who is also House Speaker, said the MPR would be ready
to discuss the Vice President's preconditions, including a
guarantee that her term as president would last until 2004.

"We can discuss the issue together. There is no problem with
the precondition issue," Akbar said, as quoted by Antara.

Akbar however also pointed out that Megawati should be more
responsive to the House's evaluation and be ready to accommodate
criticism from the legislative body.

"If she becomes president, Ibu Megawati must also carry out
her duties consistently," he said.

In contrast to Akbar, former minister of justice and human
rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra openly expressed his disagreement
with Megawati's demands, saying that the country must stick to
constitutional laws, including the presence of vice president.

"We should not be trapped by such wishes. Our concern is
whether it is in line with the prevailing regulations," said
Yusril, who is also chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB).

Yusril, a constitutional law expert himself, said the House
could now issue a memorandum of censure against the President as
the latter had failed to show "good intention" in response to the
first memorandum of censure, which was issued on Feb. 1.

"The President's reply to the first memorandum on March 28 did
not touch the substance stipulated in the memorandum.

"The reply has challenged the legislative body (to issue the
second memorandum)," he said in a meeting with Golkar faction at
the House on Monday.

The Golkar faction has been inviting constitutional law
experts in its preparation for the issuance of the second
memorandum. They include Ismail Suny, Jimly Assidiqie, and former
student activist Cosmas Batubara. (dja/prb)