Nation in danger of collapse if instability not resolved: Susilo
Nation in danger of collapse if instability not resolved: Susilo
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and
Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono warned of the nation's
collapse if questions over the national leadership, stability and
security are not quickly resolved.
Alluding to the House of Representatives' memorandum process
against President Abdurrahman Wahid and a possible special
session of the People's Consultative Assembly, Susilo believes
the uncertainty will last until July or August, bringing with it
debilitating consequences.
"This uncertainty will have a severe impact, not only on the
political front, but also in our economic, social and security
fields," he said adding that he was also concerned that it will
be aggravated by political activism which will further agitate
the conflict.
"Quite honestly, with the issuance of a memorandum by the
House of Representatives against President Abdurrahman Wahid, the
credibility and authority of Gus Dur has decreased, which
directly or indirectly has effected the credibility of the
government," Susilo said.
Usually reserved from making direct political statements,
Susilo in what seemed to be an expression of his frustration and
concern at the state of the nation, on Sunday personally
distributed a six-page statement to journalists written on paper
that did not include the official masthead of his office.
The solution, he said, lies in the hands of this nation's
political elite: Abdurrahman, Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais and House Speaker
Akbar Tandjung.
He added that the House, the government and major political
parties can also influence the solution.
In the statement, Susilo then pleaded for an end to the use of
violence as a means of resolving the national leadership issue.
"The word is peace and order, no matter how large the mass
demonstrations are."
Susilo then charged that even though the term "national
stability and security" may be considered unpopular due to its
militaristic connotation, but added that "without it this nation
would be a sea of chaos, violence and tension."
He called for a common perception among all elements of
society to arrive at a consensus which can be pursued.
"Don't practice the law of the jungle. Don't implement a
principle of winner takes all," Susilo appealed.
But elsewhere over the weekend the politicking continued.
Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung in Makassar, South
Sulawesi, punctuated the growing support for Megawati to succeed
the presidency.
Speaking to journalists after delivering a political speech in
before the party's cadres on Saturday, Akbar said he will provide
total support for Megawati if she replaces Abdurrahman in a
constitutional manner.
"If in a constitutional way Megawati replaces Gus Dur, Golkar
will give its support to her to ensure that she will succeed to
lead the country as president," Akbar remarked.
Support for Megawati to take over from the embattled President
has grown following the issuance of a memorandum against
Abdurrahman after he was implicated in two financial scandals by
the House.
Ironically the most ardent pronouncements for Megawati in
recent weeks have come from the very same Islamic parties which
stifled her presidential bid in 1999 by declaring that it would
be improper for a woman to be president.
Meanwhile in Jakarta, PDI Perjuangan hinted that the party was
not merely seeking backing for Megawati, but also assurances that
if she takes over she will not endure the kind of political
assault as her predecessor.
"What we are doing is not simply trying to gain support for
Megawati, but also to achieve political stability needed by all
political parties for the next general election," secretary of
the party's faction at the House, Heri Akhmadi, told The Jakarta
Post. (02/27/30/dja)