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)