Twin presidents

Twin presidents

From Rakyat Merdeka

Twin Presidents? That was a forecast made by Daniel Sparingga,
a noted political analyst from the University of Airlangga on a
private TV station recently. In his opinion, the twin presidents
will be born after the special session of the People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) to be convened on Aug. 1, 2001.

Daniel Sparingga's statement could become a reality due to
several factors:

First, the majority of MPR members will most likely reject
President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid's accountability report,
resulting in the revocation of the mandate conferred on him.
However, Gus Dur is insistent on staying in power and reluctant
to get out of the palace.

Second, the President as the one entrusted with such a
mandate, would probably not accept such a revocation or
impeachment proceedings against him, despite the fact that the
MPR has already issued a bill on the appointment of Megawati as
president of the Republic of Indonesia.

Gus Dur's insistence reminds us of the Philippines' Joseph
Estrada who refused to leave Malacanang Palace and still declared
himself as the nation's legitimate leader.

Third, if the MPR has issued a stipulation on the appointment
and confirmation of Megawati as president, while Gus Dur insists
on staying at the helm, there will be a dualism in the national
leadership as is currently happening in the National Police: two
top leaders vying for the baton.

Therefore, I would like to suggest that Gus Dur, if in the
voting session he is grossly outvoted, step down like Habibie who
handed over his power gracefully after the MPR rejected his
renomination as president in 1999.

VALERY E SETIAWAN

Bengkulu