Order issued to restore security

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid issued on Monday an executive order instructing his top security minister to take steps to prevent disorder brought about by the frenzied political climate.

The abrupt move, however, stopped short of Abdurrahman's threat of imposing a state of civil emergency.

"With regard to the emergency political situation we are currently facing, in relation to the possibility of a special session of the Assembly and a presidential decree, I hereby order the Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) to undertake the necessary actions, in coordination with the security apparatus, to tackle the crisis and restore law and order as soon as possible," Abdurrahman said in a one-page announcement, read by presidential spokesman Yahya C. Staquf at Merdeka Palace.

The actual significance of the executive order remains open to interpretation as to how it would directly effect the state of the nation, or whether additional powers, such as in a state of emergency, could be wielded to tackle perceived threats.

Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D., who was present at the palace, quickly made it clear that it was not tantamount to martial law, nor was it a transfer of executive power from the President to the Cabinet.

Mahfud, meanwhile, said: "There is no emergency situation or a transfer of authority from the President ... this is just to restore law and order."

Susilo, who now finds himself the main protagonist in the unfolding political drama, played down the latest development saying that in his "interpretation" there was "nothing extraordinary" about the executive order.

"The assignment is actually still within the scope of my duty as Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs," Susilo told a media briefing, after an emergency meeting with senior Cabinet members at his office late on Monday.

He then brushed aside suggestions that the executive order was similar to the one given by then president Sukarno to his successor Soeharto in 1966.

"There's no extraordinary mandate given to me from this assignment ... and clearly this one is entirely different from the Supersemar," Susilo said, referring to the March 11, 1966, order.

He stressed that he had not been delegated power by the President and that he remained accountable to a higher officer.

"I still have two superiors, the President and Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia ... and I will consult both of them on principal and fundamental matters," he added.

He reiterated that the security order was not tantamount to an emergency situation or the issuance of a presidential decree to dissolve the House.

"There'll be no declaration of an emergency situation, so every state institution can carry on with their work as usual," he said.

Susilo was vague, however, on the precise steps that would be taken under the security order in the coming days.

"There will be three agendas ... to maintain security, to restore law and order and to continue seeking a peaceful political solution," he said.

He then appealed for calm from both supporters and opponents of the embattled President and said that "the coming three months is a critical period" for the security authorities.

"Intelligence data has told us that the political climate will escalate and there will more security disturbances," Susilo said.

"We call on political leaders to exercise restraint, not to provoke large groups of people, not to condone and not to turn a blind eye to violence perpetrated by their supporters," he said.

He also called on the media not to inflame the situation.

"This appeal is not intended to curb media freedom, but in an abnormal situation the role of a constructive media is necessary."

Facing the prospect of having to face a special session of the Assembly that would ask for his presidential accountability, Abdurrahman offered on Friday a power-transfer deal to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

He further warned that he would impose a state of emergency if legislators continue with plans for a special session.

Megawati has personally responded but her aides at the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) insist that a special session will go ahead.

The House is set to determine whether to call a special session on Wednesday.

Expire

The President's secretary, Abdul Mudjib Manan, said on Monday afternoon the executive order was drafted by Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak and would remain in effect till "the situation settles down".

In his opening statement before the executive order was read live on national television, Abdurrahman said the announcement was issued to prevent a "catastrophe" from taking place.

"Supporters and opponents of the President are on a collision course and this must be avoided as much as possible ... because if the country becomes a battlefield the people will become victims," Abdurrahman said.

Presidential aides have argued that holding a special session of the Assembly would place the country's territorial integrity at stake.

Abdurrahman reiterated on Monday that the risk of disintegration was very real.

"The risk has been taken lightly by some people. They think that I am only bluffing. I am not," Abdurrahman said, adding that some people from Irian, Aceh and Riau would come to Jakarta to declare independence if the President was impeached through a special session.

He also warned of "a systematic attempt through the media" to ruin his reputation and of carrying out a "character assassination".

"The media are not interested in reporting the government's achievements and they have been taking sides," Abdurrahman said.

He then said that, under the presidential system, the president could not be removed by the House.

Immediate reactions from outside the President's camp was generally dismissive.

Megawati made no comment on Monday as a slew of visitors came in and out of her official residence until late into the night.

PDI Perjuangan Secretary General Soetjipto told reporters that Megawati was not informed in advance of the executive order and she learnt of it from watching television.

"She just watched television quietly and did not give any comment," Soetjipto said.

Assembly Speaker Amien Rais was also cool on the security order saying that it was just a "a mere announcement".

"There's nothing special about it, we don't need to react excessively to it," Amien said, adding that it was "a reflection of the President's confusion."

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung echoed the same sentiment saying "there is nothing to worry about from the announcement". (02/byg/dja/rms)