'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)