Political, economic observers ask Gus Dur to step down

Political, economic observers ask Gus Dur to step down

JAKARTA (JP): As the National Police and the Attorney
General's Office study the report on President Abdurrahman
Wahid's alleged involvement in the two financial scandals, calls
have mounted that the President step down and allow Vice
President Megawati Soekarnoputri to take control of the nation.

A group of 17 political and economic observers said on Friday
that Abdurrahman's administration is no longer effective,
highlighting the negligible level of support it now garners from
the House of Representatives and the public.

"The President has lost the House's trust, so he should read
the signals wisely and not insist on maintaining his position.

"Although his resignation is necessary, this alone is not a
sufficient requirement for completion of the reform agenda,"
economic researcher Dradjad Wibowo said while reading the group's
statement during a media conference held at the Menteng residence
of noted economic observer Sjahrir in Central Jakarta.

"Therefore, Megawati should follow up with constitutional
measures and be committed to continuing the reform agenda."

Other signatories included political observers Ikrar Nusa
Bhakti, Andi Mallarangeng, Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Riswandha Imawan
and Fachry Ali, as well as economic observers Didik J. Rachbini,
Sri Adiningsih, Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Revrisond Baswir and Umar
Juoro.

Similarly, Andi Mallarangeng said that Abdurrahman should
announce his resignation soon.

"Abdurrahman has lost the political support of the House. The
country's political and economic situation is stagnant. It will
be too long and too costly if we wait until August (to impeach
the President)," Mallarangeng said while referring to the next
annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

"Although there will be no guarantee that Megawati will
succeed Abdurrahman, this is our hope, as her party, which won
the 1999 election, controls 34 percent of the seats in the
House," he added.

Calls for Megawati to take over the presidency have mounted
over recent days after the House issued a memorandum against
Abdurrahman over his alleged involvement in the misuse of Rp 35
billion (US$3.6 million) from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog)
and a $2 million donation from the Sultan of Brunei.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) proposed that
the President give full authority to Megawati to lead the
administration, while Abdurrahman should only remain as the head
of state.

Media reports said that Abdurrahman would take time to
consider the proposal due to the tense security situation in the
country.

Meanwhile, Sjahrir said the group's statement should be
considered a moral appeal for the President to halt the worsening
conditions.

"Megawati should quickly form a transitional administration to
govern for the next 12 to 18 months. During this period she
should prepare a system for direct presidential elections and
improve the economic situation," Sjahrir said.

"Then we can speed up the next general election enabling a
better government and political system. Abdurrahman can join the
next election if he wants to, but in the meantime he should
resign," he added. (dja)