Wahid threatens to impose emergency

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, MAY 26. The Indonesian President, Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid, has warned that his country will break apart if he is ousted from office.

``One must take this (the threat of the country's break-up) seriously,'' he said in brief remarks to reporters in Jakarta after a medical check-up today. The President, like many other Indonesians, is awaiting word from the Vice-President, Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri, on a new power-sharing deal reportedly worked out by the country's Cabinet.

Mr. Wahid, who is growing increasingly desperate to cling on to power, was quoted as saying today that his political power base of East Java and the troubled province of Aceh would break away if the legislature moved to remove him from office.

``(If it goes ahead) the Governor...will appear on television, saying East Java rejects the (likely) special session (of the People's Consultative Assembly or MPR),'' Mr. Wahid maintained. Again and again, the President has warned that he might impose a state of emergency in order to dissolve Parliament and call for fresh elections.

However, Mr. Wahid's plans have been stymied by the top brass of the military who have refused to go along with his bizarre plans which are sure to cause Indonesia more harm. While the exact contours of the power-sharing deal offered to Ms. Megawati remain unclear, it is unlikely that the Vice-President will consent to a simple ``decree'' announcing a division of responsibilities. Such a division of responsibilities has been attempted earlier, but has made no difference to the status of the Vice-President.

Now, however, the ball is in the Vice-President's court since the House of Representatives meets on May 30 when it is likely to call for a special session of the MPR to impeach the President. ``I have said all along I'm ready,'' the President was quoted as telling reporters when asked if he was ready for a power-sharing arrangement with Ms. Megawati. ``(But) I have to set limits. (There will be) no transfer of authorities (sic) and I will determine the broad lines of Government policy,'' he added.

From the Vice-President's point of view, this is her opportunity to become President. If she lets go the chance this time, then Ms. Megawati may have a long wait ahead of her. Clearly, there is much tension in the air about the direction Indonesia and its politics are going to take. All eyes remain on Ms. Megawati, her decision on the power-sharing offer and the May 30 session of the House of Representatives.

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Section  : International
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