Megawati seeks advice from ex-intelligence chief

JAKARTA (JP): Amid widespread criticism of the passive political stance of Megawati Soekarnoputri, a former intelligence chief has disclosed her views on the contentious issues of amending the 1945 Constitution and the dual role of the military.

Moetojib, the former chief of the State Intelligence Coordinating Agency (Bakin), met the chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) for breakfast at a local restaurant on Wednesday to discuss strategies for her presidential bid.

Megawati was responsive to calls for amending the 1945 Constitution, including the need to limit the presidential term, Moetojib said at his residence after the meeting.

His disclosure contradicted the widely held perception that Megawati is resistant to changing the document.

Moetojib also said Megawati wanted a review of the military's sociopolitical role, another issue which has raised public doubts on the party's stance.

"It is the deployment of military officials in civilian and government positions which should be reviewed, not the original concept," he quoted Megawati as saying.

The military's entrenched role in virtually all spheres of society has been blamed for widespread human rights abuses.

Leading reformist Amien Rais, the chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), has said PDI Perjuangan's lack of commitment to reviewing the Constitution and phasing out the military's dual role dissuaded his party from seeking a coalition.

Moetojib said: "I told her (Megawati) to continue her struggle for the 1999-2004 presidency ... Otherwise, her supporters will be angry."

He dismissed doubts about Megawati's capability to lead the country.

"If all the allegations about her secularism and her political incapability are true, why did people still vote for her?" said Moetojib, who was appointed Bakin chief in April 1996 and served until last September.

Moetojib was not forthcoming about Megawati's opinion on calls to bring former president Soeharto to trial for alleged corruption, collusion and nepotism during his 32 years in power.

"I did not have the chance to ask her about it," he said.

Meanwhile, 400 supporters demonstrated for Megawati's bid for the presidency in Semarang on Wednesday.

After staging a street rally from the Tugu Muda office district to the Simpang Lima business district, they pricked their thumbs and stamped their bloody fingerprints on a 100-meter-long white banner.

The Megawati loyalists also demonstrated in front of the office of the Central Java provincial legislative council and the gubernatorial office.

Chairman of PDI Perjuangan's Semarang chapter Ismoyo said the protest was not imitating a similar protest in Surabaya on Tuesday.

"We are concerned with all the obstacles that Megawati is encountering in her path to the presidency. We planned today's action a week ago," he said.(imn/har)