President Habibie's legitimacy

The article MPR should convene to pick new president by Yusuf Wanandi, May 29, arouses several questions and astonished me regarding President B.J. Habibie's credibility and popularity. I have no connection with B.J. Habibie except that he has been elected President of Indonesia.

The writer is very biased. It is as if he has a personal dislike for the president. Is it really true that the President has no base power at all? As chairman of the Muslim Intellectual Organization of Indonesia, there is no doubt he has the support of it's members. I wonder what proof Yusuf Wanandi possesses to be able to state that the president is a controversial figure and he is opposed by many groups in Indonesia, and that the military leaders are not happy with his presidency. He goes on to say that Indonesia's elite does not support him and that he is also not trusted by the financial market, etc.

Yusuf Wanandi's negative comments emanate solely from his arrogance. What authority does he have to mention these negative elaborations? The Armed Forces' chief, Gen. Wiranto, has pledged full support for President Habibie. Congratulations and recognitions from foreign countries are pouring in. Without giving time for the President and his cabinet to prove themselves, it is very absurd and eye-brow raising for Yusuf Wanandi to conclude that the government cannot overcome the present difficulties.

The growing support for the government from various quarters of the Indonesian community speaks for itself regarding the credibility and legitimacy of the President and his cabinet. Hubert Neiss of the IMF said recently that the present cabinet comprises capable persons and figures of integrity.

As to the options proposed by the writer, they are totally out of question. The appointment of B.J. Habibie as new president is legal and legitimate according to article 8 of the 1945 Constitution. That Habibie did not make his oath in front of the People's Consultative Assembly does not necessarily make his appointment illegitimate. Due to the emergency situation at that time, it was impossible for the Assembly to convene, but the oath was taken by the chairman of the Supreme Court in the presence of all vice chairmen.

In this case, the primary condition for transfer of the presidency was fulfilled. The second option proposed by Yusuf Wanandi is unconstitutional because it contravenes article 7 of the 1945 Constitution, where the president and vice president are elected for a term of five years.

I must say that Yusuf Wanandi's article is quite disheartening to me. Judging from it's contents, I am not surprised the article has been published in the International Herald Tribune because most foreign journalists are addicted to negative stories about developing countries such as ours.

From Yusuf Wanandi, as chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, may I have the pleasure of hearing the story of the student demonstrations at your office some time ago?

MUHD. RAMZY HASIBUAN

Jakarta