Political tension far from 'being resolved'

JAKARTA (JP): The long-standing political skirmish between supporters and contenders of President Abdurrahman Wahid is unlikely to end in peace as it involves hatred and fanaticism, People's Consultative Assembly legislator Siswono Yudhohusodo says.

"Political process should be conducted in a peaceful and cool atmosphere," Siswono said on the sidelines of a ceremony of the declaration of national food resilience here on Friday.

He expressed his concern about the fact that Abdurrahman's critics were reluctant to think positively about the President's performance, while on the other hand his supporters failed to criticize the head of state.

Legislators, he said, were also polarized and tended to discredit each other instead of working together to find solutions to the problems facing the country.

Siswono was attending the event in his capacity as the chairman of the Indonesian Farmers Association (HKTI). Also present was Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri.

Siswono, along with several other members of the Functional Group faction at the Assembly met with the President on Tuesday to propose to him various alternative plans of action to end the crisis, which included his resignation. In his response, Abdurrahman said he would not step down.

"I did not expect that our inputs would change Abdurrahman's view, but perhaps in the future he may realize that we advised him as a friend," Siswono said on Friday.

He also denied media reports that in Tuesday's meeting Abdurrahman Wahid questioned Megawati's ability in leading the government.

"It was just people's interpretation after reading the newspapers," he said.

Siswono said that the faction never made such a statement as they only quoted the President when he commented on whether it would be better if Megawati led the government.

"That statement was interpreted as if the President doubted Megawati's ability. The Functional Group faction never had any intention to discredit the President with the information we gave to journalists," he added.

The statement from the faction came as quite a surprise in the country as it was reported that the faction demanded the President step down and Abdurrahman responded to the demand by questioning Megawati's ability.

Siswono also underlined that the faction's members were the Assembly members, who were willing to hold a meeting with the President, while the other factions refused to attend the meeting on account of their own political interests.(21/dja)