Options in a virtual emergency: Ichlasul Amal

The country's political situation appears to be going from bad to worse, with thousands of rival demonstrators taking to the streets to voice their opinions. Political lecturer and the rector of Yogyakarta's Gadjah Mada University, Ichlasul Amal, who is also an executive of the Muhammadiyah Islamic organization, discusses the stalemate.

Question: Do you think the conflicting stances on President Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, could lead to physical clashes if the current situation persists?

Answer: Yes. That is why Gus Dur should resign, because his resignation would avert this impending head-on collision between students and other elements of society. But if Gus Dur persists in continuing his presidency, a physical clash between student protesters will occur ....

Student movements are divided into several groups with different platforms. During the reform movement in 1998, they were united in one demand, namely Soeharto's resignation, although they had different ideas about how to go about implementing reform. Gus Dur is not a common enemy as Soeharto was. It is impossible to get all of the students to be 100 percent anti-Gus Dur.

Students also have conflicting views on how to solve the country's problems and how the reform agenda should be implemented. This has led to their different stances on Gus Dur. One camp sees him as part of the problem, while the other camp does not.

Wouldn't Gus Dur's resignation cause anger among his supporters, particularly those from Nahdlatul Ulama, the Muslim organization he once chaired?

I do not think so, not if Gus Dur tendered his resignation voluntarily and let his supporters know his resignation was in the nation's interest, not because of political pressure.

Legislators have different views on accelerating a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which could lead to the President's impeachment. Your comment?

Politically there is no problem expediting the special session since legislators have agreed to submit a formal request to the MPR for this purpose, despite the fact that legally the MPR special session requires two memorandums of censure against the President.

So, wouldn't holding a special session now, when only one memorandum of censure has been issued against the President, be extraconstitutional?

You could say that, but the DPR (House of Representatives) can take such an initiative in the case of an emergency, if it believes the situation in the nation is worsening.

If Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri took over as president, do you believe the political climate would improve?

I do not know whether Megawati can deal with the country's problems, but at least one cause of the current political instability will have been removed if Gus Dur resigns.

Do you think Gus Dur is part of the country's problems?

Yes, because his responses to different matters always spark controversy, particularly among legislators. I think this is also the result of his physical constraints. I believe there are "whisperers" (influencing) him. When he picks up information from these informants, their own opinions appear to be included.

Could a Megawati presidency last to the end of the current term in 2004, given the drastic change in the stance of Islam- based political parties on a woman president?

I think so as long as nothing extraordinary occurs. Moreover, Megawati's PDI Perjuangan (Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle) has many supporters. Muslim political parties accept Megawati (as the successor to Gus Dur) because it is constitutional and there is no other alternative.

The previous stance of the United Development Party (PPP) rejecting a woman president was part of its political maneuvering to attract Muslim voters ... to prevent more Muslims from supporting the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, which had decided on Megawati as its presidential candidate.

Hundreds of students have held rallies recently to protest comments made by you, which they saw as supportive of anti-Gus Dur parties. They also questioned the neutrality of Gadjah Mada University. You are also a member of Muhammadiyah's executive board. Your comment?

I do not think I am biased. Many people are mistaken in thinking that Gus Dur's resignation would strengthen the political legitimacy of (former Muhammadiyah chairman) Amien Rais. That is not true ... just look, the media is clearly reluctant to quote Amien.

Gus Dur can act as the nation's elder statesman if he resigns ... a leader does not have to defend his position to the last drop of blood. (Asip A. Hasani)