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)