President fails to name new attorney general
President fails to name new attorney general
JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid failed to
fulfill his promise to name a new attorney general on Saturday,
and it appeared he also did not succeed in forcing outgoing
National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro to realize his
promise to surrender his command baton.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday after attending the weekly
meeting of the National Awakening Party in Kuningan, South
Jakarta, Abdurrahman said he would name a new attorney general on
Tuesday.
The President appeared unhappy when asked about Justice
Artidjo Alkostar's claim that he had turned down the President's
offer to lead the Attorney General's Office.
"It will be announced on Tuesday," the President said about
the new attorney general.
Speaking to the congregation following Friday prayers at a
mosque near his house in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, the President
said he had made up his mind about the new attorney general and
would make an announcement on Saturday.
On Saturday morning, the President had breakfast with acting
Attorney General Soeparman at the Merdeka Palace. Soeparman,
however, said the two just ate breakfast and did not touch on the
issue of his future.
"The President has not made a decision about the new attorney
general," Soeparman said following the breakfast.
The President refused to name any candidates to reporters.
Presidential spokesman Adhie Massardi, however, indicated
Minister of Justice and Human Rights Marsillam Simanjuntak was
the leading candidate to replace Baharuddin Lopa, who died on
Tuesday.
Marsillam has been in his current position for one month,
having previously served as the Cabinet secretary.
"Apart from his knowledge of the law, Pak Marsillam also is
feared by corruptors," Adhie said.
Bimantoro
According to Abdurrahman's official schedule, Bimantoro did
not turn up at the Merdeka Palace on Saturday to hand over his
command baton and other attributes to the President, as promised
by a senior minister on Friday.
Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security
Affairs Agum Gumelar had announced that Bimantoro had agreed to
officially hand over his command to the President.
"At least from the schedule I have, there is no plan for the
President to meet with Bimantoro today," a senior protocol
official said.
The President dismissed Bimantoro last month and appointed
Comr. Gen. Chaeruddin as National Police deputy chief. Chaeruddin
was assigned to take command of the day-to-day activities of the
National Police chief.
"Tomorrow (Saturday), Pak Bimantoro will meet with the
President and is expected to settle all these disputes," Agum
said on Friday.
The President did visit on Saturday renowned author Pramoedya
Ananta Toer at his new home in Depok, West Java. Pramoedya
presented two copies of his books to Abdurrahman.
The writer was among the first guests the President received
after his election in October 1999.
Abdurrahman reportedly also held a meeting with Golkar Party
chairman Akbar Tandjung at a house on Jl. Sisimangaraja, South
Jakarta, on Saturday.
The meeting took place just two days before a scheduled
meeting between the President and leaders of major political
parties at the Bogor presidential palace.
"I heard about the meeting. But frankly speaking, very few
people know about this matter," a protocol officer said.
Chief presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar said that the
heads of the major political parties had agreed to attend the
meeting on Monday.
"Invitations have been sent and it (the meeting) will be held
at the Bogor palace," Wimar confirmed. (prb)