Options in a virtual emergency: Ichlasul Amal

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)