Political tension far from 'being resolved'

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)