Political foes dismiss executive order

Political foes dismiss executive order

JAKARTA (JP): Senior political figures outside President
Abdurrahman Wahid's camp dismissed the newly issued executive
order, describing it as a mere "announcement" with little
statutory weight.

Most brushed aside the executive order as an elucidation of
the current duties of the Coordinating Minister for Political,
Social and Security Affairs.

Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri has not publicly reacted
to the executive order, which she was not consulted on.

Instead, as chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) she issued a four-point instruction of
her own for party supporters to remain calm amid the political
tension.

Her instructions came as reports came of widening attacks on
party offices in Java by those claiming to be supporters of the
President.

"Remain solid and vigilant in anticipating all possibilities
and do not be incited by intimidation by any party," Megawati
said in the written statement.

In the morning, the Vice President received at her office
Coordinating Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, National Police
chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro, Indonesian Military (TNI) chief Adm.
Widodo A.S and Cabinet Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak.

After the meeting she cleared her schedule, and went straight
to her official residence where a medley of political and
military figures visited till late into the night.

Megawati watched the announcement of the executive order on
television at home, accompanied by party executives Soetjipto,
Theo Syafei and Arifin Panigoro.

Speaking to reporters before leaving Megawati's residence, PDI
Perjuangan Secretary General Soetjipto said the issuance of the
President's executive order would only prolong the already tense
situation.

"In our opinion this measure will only create more public
confusion. We still stick with our decision to pursue a
constitutional process, as there is no other way to end the
current political impasse," Soetjipto remarked.

In the evening, members of PDI Perjuangan's Team of Eight,
assigned to assess the President's progress in responding to the
House of Representatives' second memorandum arrived at her
residence.

Jakob Tobing, a member of the team, later told journalists
that despite the recent development, the conclusion was "almost
definitely" the party would pursue a special session.

"But the finalization is tomorrow (Tuesday)," he remarked.

Abdurrahman, who only has two days to dissuade the House of
Representatives not to call a special session, has warned that he
would impose a state of emergency if it did.

Separately, Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, insisted that the
President's executive order was merely meant to emphasize
Susilo's job description.

"The executive order is actually evidence that the embattled
President won't issue a decree to dissolve the House," he said,
after swearing in three new Assembly members here.

The three Assembly members were Arief Mudatsir of the United
Development Party (PPP), Peter Sutanto of the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), and Bambang
Sudibyo, former finance minister.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the President's
order should be understood as a special decree that gave
authority for Susilo to restore security and order.

"The executive order must be understood as being as simple as
that. It is only an announcement to the public and an order to
the minister to take special action in restoring security and
order as well as in upholding the law," said Akbar, who is also
the Golkar party chairman.

According to Akbar, the executive order did not give Susilo
greater power than he already had because defense and security
matters actually were still handled by the military and the
National Police.

Asked whether the order would be a precursor for a possible
issuance of an edict to dissolve the House, Akbar said the House
would ignore it if the President were eventually to issue the
edict.

"The President should not take hasty action in dealing with
the conflict with the legislative body. It is better for the two
sides to find a compromise to overcome the political crisis," he
said.

Sofyan Mile, a legislator from Golkar, said the executive
order was different from former president Sukarno's March 11,
1966 order to his successor Soeharto.

"With the executive order, the President was merely expressing
his anger with the House's May 30 plenary session," Sofyan noted.

Let. Gen. Budhi Harsono, chairman of the Indonesian
Military/National Police faction, concurred, and said such an
order did not give special authority to Susilo to take action
against Abdurrahman's political rivals.

"The announcement is actually only stressing Susilo's tasks in
all fields under his coordination," he said.

Budhi said his faction accepted the executive order in the
context of the government's effort to create a conducive climate
ahead of the House's plenary session and the G-15 conference.

In a related development, Heri Achmadi, secretary of PDI
Perjuangan, said his faction was ignoring the executive order
because it carried no political or legal implications to PDI
Perjuangan and other political parties.

Meanwhile, National Awakening Party (PKB) chairman Matori
Abdul Djalil praised the President's executive order as an effort
by a statesman to calm the nation that was worried by the
possible imposition of a state of emergency. He hoped Susilo
would be able to carry out the task well.

"We believe in the President's statesmanship. All of his
decisions have been taken after thorough deliberation," Matori
said.

Matori insisted the President's decision was unrelated to the
impeachment threat facing him. "It has nothing to do with the
Assembly's special session plan," Matori contended.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab gave a different
explanation about the President's motive.

According to Alwi, the order was issued to ensure the success
of the two-day G-15 summit which will start on Wednesday.

"It is not something extraordinary, although some people
interpret the order differently. The executive order is aimed to
boost security and anticipate various things," Alwi said.
(dja/rms)