Megawati skips function at Palace

By Amit Baruah

JAKARTA, JUNE 2. The Indonesian Vice-President, Ms. Megawati Sukarnoputri, today failed to show up for the formal appointment of the new Security Minister, Gen. Agum Gumelar (Retd.), at the Presidential palace.

The function, which was attended by the President, Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid, is a sign of further deteriorating relations between the ``big two'' as Parliament remains poised to impeach the President.

Just yesterday, the President sacked four Ministers - including his Security Minister, Mr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and the Attorney-General, Mr. Marzuki Darusman.

Mr. Bambang's sacking comes after he publicly opposed declaration of a state of emergency - an idea put forward by the President to hang on in office.

The former Security Minister, who gave the Wahid Government considerable credibility and was seen as a good administrator, was reportedly offered another Cabinet job, but he refused to accept it. The President also ``sacked'' the national police chief, Gen. Suroyo Bimantoro, yesterday. But the police chief has refused to hand over charge, saying that the new appointment had to be approved by Parliament.

Interestingly, the Army Chief, Gen. Endiartono Sutarto, too did not turn up for the ceremony at the Presidential palace. He too has opposed the declaration of a civil emergency by the President.

It is becoming evident that Mr. Wahid's increasingly erratic ways of functioning is pushing Indonesia to the brink.

If Mr. Bambang resisted the idea of the emergency, it remains to be seen whether his successor, said to be close to Ms. Megawati, will play ball with Mr. Wahid.

The President, who has repeatedly refused to resign, is set to face a session of the country's supreme legislative body - the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on August 1 - where impeachment proceedings against him are likely.

It is clear that Mr. Wahid is following the advice provided by close aides who have a lot to lose if he is ejected from the presidency. In such a scenario, the President and his men can do a lot of damage to the fledgling Indonesian democracy. Though Mr. Wahid does not enjoy the support of a majority of Generals, he can push the military into a corner by his actions - which can lead to unintended results for the country.

If the President does go ahead with plans to impose a state of civil emergency, then he must have the backing of the military brass if such a move is to be enforced. Presumably, this would include a crackdown on Mr. Wahid's parliamentary detractors.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : International
Previous : Oldham Dy. Mayor home attacked
Next     : Conservatives throwing in the towel?