Wahid to learn from criticism

JAKARTA, AUG. 9. The Indonesian President, Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid, said today he would learn from scathing criticism delivered by the top legislature over his running of the country.

``I appreciate the evaluations of support, criticism and disappointment...,'' Mr. Wahid said in a speech read by an aide to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). ``I will take all these (comments) on board to improve the government,'' he said, a comment which drew applause from legislators, who yesterday slammed Mr. Wahid and his widely criticised government.

Mr. Wahid, in an accountability report to the MPR on Monday, apologised to the MPR for his mistakes. Under MPR procedures, Mr. Wahid has the right of reply to its evaluation of his accountability report.

After accusing Mr. Wahid of not fixing, and even adding to, the nation's woes, senior legislators on Wednesday called on the Vice-President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, to take over the day-to- day running of government. The Parliamentary Speaker, Mr. Akbar Tandjung, said the Vice-President should be more than just a figurehead. Until now, Ms. Megawati has played a silent back-seat role to the maverick Mr. Wahid, leading to accusations that she lacked ability and confidence despite her popularity and pedigree as the daughter of Indonesia's founding president, Sukarno.

The call to boost her power has also been backed by her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle and cuts across a plan by Mr. Wahid to appoint a Prime Minister to manage the nation's affairs below himself and Ms. Megawati.

- Reuters, PTI

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