Ministers to device leadership scheme

Ministers to device leadership scheme

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D. indicated on
Wednesday that the Cabinet may suggest the revision of a
presidential decree on power sharing, issued last year.

Mahfud, who is among seven Cabinet members tasked by President
Abdurrahman Wahid with advising him on the national leadership
crisis, said the team would complete a final power sharing
formula by next Tuesday.

"If the present presidential decree is considered unclear, it
may need to be more stringent or given a new shape," Mahfud said.

In his decree No. 121, issued in August last year, the
President charged the Vice President with day-to-day running of
the government, including technical and ceremonial duties. Her
duties include presiding over Cabinet meetings and formulating
the Cabinet agenda.

Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has suggested that a power
sharing arrangement between Abdurrahman and Megawati would
probably be "the most realistic choice" to end the protracted
political impasse.

Abdurrahman has defiantly argued, however, that any political
deal should not lessen his authority as the President, saying
that Megawati could have all executive powers except those
affecting policy-making and the appointment of state officials.

He ruled out on Wednesday the possibility of formalizing the
power sharing formula in a People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)
decree, which is more powerful and compelling than a presidential
decree.

"It is not necessary, there is already a presidential decree
on that," he said at Bina Graha presidential office.

Separately, House of Representative Speaker Akbar Tandjung
displayed his support for such an MPR ruling on power sharing.

"It is important to strengthen the delegation of power in an
Assembly decree so that it will be difficult (for the President)
to violate it. We can also find some technical procedures to
regulate implementation of the decree," Akbar said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, political parties disclosed their own political
goals ahead of a meeting initiated by the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), scheduled to take place next
week.

PDI Perjuangan and the Golkar Party, two major factions in the
House, opted for a political compromise, while other parties
grouped in the Axis Force insisted that the President step down
or be impeached.

Pramono Anung Wibowo, PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary-general,
said the compromise his party intended was a transfer of control
of the government from Abdurrahman to Megawati, due to the
President's frail health.

"Our party wants an effective government to defuse the crisis
and to cope with other major problems the nation is facing," he
said.

Syamsul Muarif, chairman of the Golkar Party faction in the
House, said his party would propose more than a sharing of power
between the President and Vice President.

"Besides offering a power sharing scheme, Golkar will also
propose a development program in the political, legal and
economic fields that should be accepted as a common guideline to
be carried out until 2004," said Syamsul.

He did not elaborate any further, however.

Bachtiar Chamsyah, deputy chairman of the United Development
Party (PPP), said that his party had set its sights on replacing
the President because he was no longer able to lead the nation.

"Our party will persuade other parties to replace the
President because the political situation is worsening under his
leadership," he said.

Hatta Radjasa, chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN)
faction, agreed and said that PPP, PAN and the Crescent Star
Party, grouped in the Axis Force, would pave the way for
Megawati's ascent to the presidency.

"We are waiting for PDI Perjuangan's stance. If they want
Megawati to assume power, we are ready for it. The most important
thing is that Gus Dur must be replaced," he said.

In contrast, Matori Abdul Djalil, chairman of the National
Awakening Party (PKB) which supports Abdurrahman, said his party
would remain calm and wait for other parties' proposals.

"It is better for us to wait and see because we are on Gus
Dur's side," Matori said.

The Indonesian Military was more cautious, saying that any
political compromise between the seven political parties should
result in national unity and help the nation recover.

Lt. Gen. Budhi Harsono, chairman of the Indonesian
Military/National Police faction in the House, said the military
stood among the political parties and would be prepared to
support whatever decisions were taken in the meeting.

"The military has committed to staying out of politics and
maintaining national unity and the Constitution," he said.
(byg/rms/dja)