Megawati silent on 'compromise'

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) remained aloof on the likelihood of a new power sharing deal, despite speculation that they would be the main benefactors of a revamped executive.

Leading party figures over the weekend were indifferent when asked about a possible political compromise currently being solicited by House of Representatives Speaker and Golkar Party Chairman Akbar Tandjung.

PDI Perjuangan legislator Taufik Kiemas, who is also the husband of party chairperson and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, said in Palembang, South Sumatra, that he would not share his thoughts on the matter.

"Sorry, I do not know about the power sharing scheme. If Bang Akbar was the one offering such a deal maybe you should ask him," Taufik said on Sunday.

Megawati herself, who was with Taufik, remained tight-lipped and merely smiled when journalists asked her to comment.

The Vice President was in Palembang to visit state-owned fertilizer factory PT Pupuk Sriwijaya and state-owned oil company Pertamina's refinery in Plaju, some eight kilometers from Palembang.

The idea of a political compromise rose to the fore as the legislature grew increasingly disgruntled with the leadership of President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Most legislators have expressed increasing skepticism at his leadership following his reply to the House's memorandum of censure.

The mood at the legislature seems to be heading for a second and third memorandum thus raising the likelihood of a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly and presidential impeachment.

Akbar last proposed such a compromise as a possible way out of the political deadlock. He suggested that a special session be held to hammer out an Assembly decree to regulate an increased executive role for the Vice President.

Constitution

PDI Perjuangan Deputy Secretary General Pramono Anung told The Jakarta Post on Sunday that the party would accept a change in the 1945 Constitution to accommodate the power sharing idea simply for the benefit of short-term political interests.

"We should never forget that sharing power between the president and vice president as the head of state and head of government would lead us to change the constitution as we've never acknowledged such a separation," Pramono reminded.

He underlined that as an idea, it is acceptable to elaborate the power sharing idea, but nothing should be done to violate the Constitution.

Pramono said rather than a political compromise his party is likely to concentrate more on the government's spirit of reform to eliminate corruption, collusion and nepotism.

"So for the current political condition, we are still discussing the President's answer before we take other steps. We have formed a team consisting of eight people to appraise the President's answer," Pramono said.

The government's position on the idea of a power sharing scheme also remains somewhat unclear. On Saturday the President rejected the idea saying that it would be an unconstitutional move.

However, on Sunday, Minister of Defense Mahfud MD said that Abdurrahman might accept the idea if the Assembly first amends Article 4 of the 1945 Constitution which states that the president is both head of state and head of government.

Akbar when he proposed the idea last week stressed that it can only work if the President is willing to delegate his power for political compromise.

However, Akbar admitted that it was his personal idea and so far it had only received very limited response from House factions who currently seem more preoccupied in issuing the second memorandum for the President over the two financial scandals he is allegedly involved in.

Golkar party faction chairman at the House Syamsul Muarif told the Post that his party had formed a team to appraise the President's answer and would not give further comment over the any possibility before appraising the answer.

"We have to discuss the answer first before determining our party's stance over the matter," Syamsul said.

The National Mandate Party (PAN) issued a political recommendation on Sunday, that all kinds of action to find a political solution in the country should be done according to the Constitution and involve all political power in the country.

"All political decisions should be taken in a constitutional manner," PAN Secretary General told the Post after the meeting.

He stressed that holding an Assembly special session to find a collective solution should be the main measure to end the political crisis. (deja/33)