The making of a president
JAKARTA (JP): The events of Sunday and Monday will stand out in the annals of Indonesian history. Below is a chronology of the key events marking Abdurrahman Wahid's last two days in office and the elevation of Megawati Soekarnoputri to the presidency.
July 22, 2001
9 a.m. Political party leaders hold talks with Vice President Megawati. At the end of the meeting some two hours later, MPR Speaker and National Mandate Party chief Amien Rais says President Abdurrahman Wahid will likely to be ousted the following day.
11 a.m. - 4 p.m. President Abdurrahman Wahid holds several meetings, holding talks with Coordinating Minister Agum Gumelar, Attorney General Marsilam Sumanjuntak, Rachmawati Soekarnoputri, acting National Awakening Party chief Alwi Shihab and State Minister for the Empowerment of Women Khofifah Indar Parawansa.
5:15 p.m. The President summons and meets the chairman of the TNI/National Police faction Budi Harsono and MPR Deputy Speaker Hari Sabarno, demanding that the faction withdraw its support for the MPR special session by midnight.
5:30 p.m. Caretaker National Police chief Gen. Chaeruddin Ismail arrives at the palace to meet the President.
7 p.m. The Indonesian Military stages a parade at the National Monument in Central Jakarta under the command of the Army's Strategic Reserves Command chief, Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacudu.
7:15 p.m. The President asserts that he will not resign, adamant that he will fight to hold on to his post and promising to make an important political announcement at 10 p.m.
7:30 p.m. Agum Gumelar and TNI chief Adm. Widodo AS arrive at the palace to meet the President.
7:45 p.m. Activists and observers gather at the palace to meet with the President. Included among them are Emmy Hafidz, Yenny Rosa Damayanti, Hermawan Sulistiyo, Arbi Sanit and Muchtar Pakpahan.
8:30 p.m. Ministry of Defense Secretary-General Lt. Gen. Johny Lumintang arrives to meet with the President. Also present during the meeting is Rachmawati.
9 p.m. MPR leaders gather in anticipation of the President's announcement promised for 10 p.m. Jakarta Police chief Ir. Gen. Sofjan Yacoeb later arrives to attend the meeting in the legislative complex.
11 p.m. Agum, Widodo, Lumintang and other top officials such as Alwi, attend a meeting with the President. Abdurrahman reveals that he will proceed with the declaration of a state of emergency despite objections from several of his aides. He tells those who do not agree with him to go their own way.
July 23, 2001
1:10 a.m. President Abdurrahman Wahid issues a decree which provides for the suspension of the MPR/DPR, the Golkar Party and holding of a general election within a year.
1:30 a.m. MPR leaders hurriedly gather to respond to the President's decision.
1:45 a.m. Agum Gumelar meets with Megawati at her residence saying that he is ready to resign, but the Vice President maintains it would be best for him to stay on to help coordinate matters and keep things under control.
2:15 a.m. Cabinet Secretary Marzuki Darusman says he is submitting his resignation in protest at the President's decree.
2:30 a.m. Jakarta Police chief Ir. Gen. Sofjan Yacoeb arrives at Megawati's residence and issues an order to police in the capital to disregard the presidential decree and continue providing security for the MPR special session.
3:10 a.m. MPR leaders decide to bring the start of the special session forward from 9 a.m. to 8 a.m.
8 a.m. MPR begins special session with Megawati in attendance. The Supreme Court issues an opinion saying that the presidential decree has no legal basis.
4:50 p.m. The MPR passes a decree revoking Abdurrahman Wahid's mandate as president and appointing Megawati as the new President.
5:10 p.m. Megawati is sworn in as Indonesia's President.