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)