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)