VIPs do not deserve leave: Amien

VIPs do not deserve leave: Amien

MALANG, East Java: People's Consultative Assembly Speaker
Amien Rais voiced his opposition against President Megawati
Soekarnoputri's request for a leave, citing the unabated crisis
and the heavy burden the country has to bear.

Speaking after closing a student orientation program at the
Malang Muhammadiyah University, Amien said both the President and
Vice President did not need annual leaves because they got enough
rest every Sunday.

"The special leave will spark controversy now that numerous
problems facing the country remain unsettled," Amien said.

Unlike western countries, annual leaves have never been a part
of governmental affairs in the country's history, he added.

Echoing Amien's statement, Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Hasyim
Muzadi said a presidential leave was not recognized in Indonesian
culture.

President Megawati proposed the idea of a special leave for
the president and vice president during a meeting with the
Indonesian community in Hungary last week. -- Antara