Power sharing must top agenda: Akbar

Power sharing must top agenda: Akbar

JAKARTA (JP): With confusion riding high on the feasibility of
proposed talks between members of the country's political elite,
House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung suggested on
Tuesday that a power-sharing scheme top the meeting's agenda.

Akbar, who also chairs Golkar Party, said acceptance of the
power-sharing formula in the meeting would prevent the House from
handing down a second memorandum of censure against President
Abdurrahman Wahid.

A stand-off between the House and the President has been
blamed for the protracted political crisis in the country.

Akbar said major factions at the House looked set to approve
the power-sharing scheme, through which the President would hand
over the authority to run the government to Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri, who also chairs the powerful Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

"If the issue is settled, the House will go ahead with the
memorandum process to call for a People's Consultative Assembly
special session to formalize the sharing of power between the
President and Vice President, instead of impeachment of the
President," Akbar said.

Embattled Abdurrahman has ruled out the possibility of
adopting such a formula, although he once issued a decree
stipulating the division of duties between the President and Vice
President last year.

Akbar also said that the proposed meeting should discuss
economic recovery.

A source from PDI Perjuangan revealed on Tuesday that the
party would bring up the power-sharing formula in the talks.

PDI Perjuangan deputy secretary-general Pramono Anung would
not comment on the report, but hinted that Megawati expected that
the meeting could at least generate agreement on economic
recovery and the political base the security authorities needed
to take actions against separatist movements plaguing the
country.

"At least Ibu Megawati would agree to talk about these
matters," Pramono told The Jakarta Post after an executive
meeting presided over by Megawati at the party's office on Jl.
Pecenongan, Central Jakarta.

Later in the day Megawati held talks with her counterpart
Matori Abdul Djalil of the National Awakening Party (PKB) at her
official residence on Jl. Teuku Umar, also in Central Jakarta. No
official statement was available on the meeting. Abdurrahman is
the PKB chief patron.

Briefing the media after the party executive meeting, PDI
Perjuangan secretary-general Sutjipto asserted that Megawati was
ready to attend the reconciliatory meeting between members of the
political elite which was proposed by Abdurrahman.

"I am ready to talk to anyone, anywhere, any time ... even a
group of people," Megawati was quoted by Sutjipto.

Megawati, however, hinted that a clear agenda must be set
prior to the meeting, Sutjipto said.

"As for the agenda, it is up to the political figures
attending the meeting to discuss ... so it is not only up to us
to decide," Megawati said.

Earlier in the day, Abdurrahman said his meeting with top
political leaders was aimed at seeking ways to end the country's
political stalemate.

"The date has yet to be decided, because everyone is busy, but
in principle we have agreed to meet," Abdurrahman told reporters
at Bina Graha presidential office.

Presidential spokesman Adhi Massardi said in a statement later
in the day that "several aides" had been instructed by the
President to decide the time and place of the meeting.

He also said that the main agenda of the meeting would be "to
overcome the uneasiness that is gripping the society".

"The agenda's aim of providing stability to the people is part
of the key solution to resolving the country's problems," the
statement said.

Commenting on reports that PDI Perjuangan had set three terms
for her presidency, Abdurrahman said: "Things were twisted by the
media".

Reports said earlier that the party had set three conditions
for Megawati's takeover. They were a guarantee that she would not
be challenged until 2004, a stopping of the MPR annual session
and the vice-presidency be left vacant.

Meanwhile, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais
reiterated his support for Megawati to lead the country. Amien
hinted that leaders of the Axis Force, a loose coalition of
several Muslim-oriented parties, would fully support Megawati's
presidential tenure.

"The Axis Force consists of political figures whose words can
be trusted," said Amien in Makassar, South Sulawesi, after
opening the National Mandate Party (PAN) leadership workshop.
(27/dja/byg/rms)