'There is still hope' for Gus Dur despite censure
'There is still hope' for Gus Dur despite censure
JAKARTA (JP): Despite the probable issuance of a second
memorandum of censure, observers here believe there is still hope
for President Abdurrahman Wahid if he changes his controversial
ways and legislators are objective in their assessment of him.
Constitutional law expert Sri Soemantri remarked that a second
censure would not necessarily mean the end of Abdurrahman's
presidency, pointing out that the President still had one month
to make a political turn around.
"Whether the House issues a third memorandum and calls for a
special session of the People's Consultative Assembly to impeach
the President will depend much on his response to the second
memorandum," Sri told The Jakarta Post by telephone here on
Saturday.
He said the House should also be objective in evaluating the
President's response to the first memorandum and his performance.
"The House should not censure the President without
objectively evaluating his performance," he argued.
Sri believes Abdurrahman can salvage his government by
abandoning his combative approach to the House and adopting an
accommodative stance.
He said Abdurrahman must realize, admit and correct his past
mistakes, including the dismissals of former coordinating
minister of social affairs and eradication of poverty Hamzah Haz,
who chairs the United Development Party (PPP), and economics
ministers Yusuf Kalla and Laksamana Sukardi.
Pointing to some of the positive steps taken by the
government, Sri noted the President's proposal to implement the
reversal of the burden proof in the investigation of selected
corruption cases.
Sri further remarked that the President would also escape
impeachment if he could form a strong coalition government with
major factions in the legislature.
The question is whether Abdurrahman is willing to make these
compromises.
"Everyone knows, including his younger brother Gus Im, that
Gus Dur is very stubborn and overconfident," he added.
Separately, Franz Magnis Suseno, rector of Driyarkara
Institute of Philosophy, concurred and said Abdurrahman could
save his presidency if he could show that he was sincere about
allowing Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri execute the
day-to-day administration of the government.
"Gus Dur should remain in his position as president and retain
control of the government, but all administrative affairs should
be handled by the Vice President," Franz Magnis said.
Franz Magnis, a Catholic priest, said one of the legislators'
source of ire was Abdurrahman's failure to implement a decree on
the delegation of the running of the government to the Vice
President.
"The President has treated the decree merely as a verbal
expression and has yet to enforce it," he said.
"And this has sparked strong reactions from major factions,
especially the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan)." (rms)