Megawati seeks advice from ex-intelligence chief
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)