Political parties still ponder fast-track MPR session plan

JAKARTA (JP): Political wrangling continued as major factions in the House of Representatives remained aloof on whether they would seek a fast-track route for the holding of a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly which could possibly begin impeachment proceedings against the President.

Most politicians were cautious in their responses, mindful that circumventing the constitutional process could further fuel the wave of anarchic protests which have already hit places like East Java.

While much of the talk on Monday centered around Assembly Speaker Amien Rais and his meetings which discussed ways to bring forward the special session, most parties on Tuesday tried to remain discreet by underlining the constitutional process without asserting either way if they supported an accelerated process.

The ambiguity of the situation was further underscored as elements in certain factions seemed to be engaging in endeavors which could be construed as being contrary to the official party line.

Pramono Anung Wibowo, deputy secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), claimed that his party would remain faithful to the process of issuing a memorandum of censure.

"The party's executive board has just decided to stick to the constitution in processing the investigation's result," he said after a meeting which was also attended by party chief Megawati Soekarnoputri and other party functionaries.

"We won't support an immediate special session because it's against the constitution."

"According to our party's political stance, the President will be expected to make the necessary corrections in his government over the next three months," he said.

Asked about a reported petition initiated by around 100 legislators to urge the President to step down voluntarily, Pramono said his party did not support it.

"We consider the petition for the President's resignation as tantamount to negating the legislature's existence. PDI Perjuangan legislators are prohibited from signing the petition while those who already signed it are called on to comply with the party's stance," he said.

Despite Pramono's remarks, the PDI Perjuangan's own House faction leader Arifin Panigoro along with four other House faction leaders made highly provocative remarks before students at the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) on Monday.

"The findings of the special committee proves that from a moral point of view, Gus Dur has no morals," Arifin charged.

Joining him were Syamsul Muarif of the Golkar faction, Hatta Radjasa of the Reform faction, Achmad Sumargono of the Cresent Star faction and Ali Marwan of the United Development Party faction.

Reliable sources also told The Jakarta Post that influential legislators from factions supporting the special committee's findings, were planning to stoke up a moral crusade to force the President's resignation.

A Golkar Party source said several legislators had held an informal meeting at the residence of Arifin Panigoro in South Jakarta on Tuesday night.

"Such meetings have been routine since last Thursday," said the source.

Another source in the House said several leading legislators were drafting petitions and organizing mass movements in various provinces calling on the President to resign.

"A draft petition is still circulating among legislators while antigovernment demonstrations are expected to be staged in the provinces in a few days," said the source.

The House, after adopting the special committee report last week, decided to issue a the President with a memorandum of censure after they had decided that he was implicated in two financial scandals.

By law, the House has to issue two more memoranda, which could take four months, before asking the Assembly to convene a special session.

Some have claimed that the process is too long and that public discontent is growing and could spill over into open conflict if the convening of a special session were not expedited.

Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim Muzadi, however, said on Tuesday that a hastened special session would only open new conflicts at the grassroots level.

Hasyim warned that more destructive actions could occur if "unconstitutional" measures were taken by the House.

"Moving to expedite the Assembly special session will only open the door to further conflict among the people," Hasyim remarked.

Another key faction which could help sway the situation is the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police faction.

The TNI's chief of Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjojo said on Tuesday that the TNI would only support a special Assembly session held in accordance with the Constitution.

"Constitutionally, a special session to summon the President can only be held after the House has issued two memoranda of censure. The first memorandum is valid for three months and the second for a month. We firmly adhere to this process," Agus told The Jakarta Post by telephone.

Agus was adamant that a special session should not be held before the House had issued the two memoranda.

Meanwhile, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung on Tuesday said: "the House is now waiting a reply from the President to the memorandum. The House as an institution is currently not taking any steps to hold a special session."

Akbar skirted the question of a special session saying it was the domain of the Assembly.

"If Pak Amien Rais talks about bringing forward the special session, then that's his business as Assembly Speaker."

Separately, National Police chief of detectives Insp. Gen. Engkesman Hillep said on Tuesday that a team of detectives and intelligence officers had been formed to study the findings of the House special committee on the financial scandals.

Engkesman said that National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro had received the report on Monday evening from Akbar.

He added that if President Abdurrahman Wahid had to be questioned, then the police would first seek the consent of the Supreme Court. (02/21/dja/rms/ylt)