- Beleaguered President Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid finally said on Friday that he would address the nation in the much-anticipated August 1 special session of the People'sConsultative Assembly (MPR), but remained firm about not delivering an accountability speech. Speaking during a visit to Babakan Ciwaringin Islamic Boarding School in Cirebon, West Java, Abdurrahman said as quoted by Antara that he would deliver a speech on Indonesia's future challenges instead of an accountability speech.
Abdurrahman has repeatedly refused to deliver anaccountability speech in the special session, saying that the move is "unlawful and unconstitutional" as the 1945 Constitution stipulates that the president will only deliver his or her accountability speech at the end of the five-year presidential term. Abdurrahman further said that he, along with House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker and Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung and United Development Party (PPP) chief Hamzah Haz were working on a peaceful political compromise.
The President, however, repeated his demand that rival political parties agree to a compromise and allow him to serve out his full term until 2004. "If not, on July 20 at 6 p.m. I will declare a state of emergency," he said. Under emergency rule, Abdurrahman can dissolve the MPR/DPR before it launches impeachment proceedings against him on Aug. 1. He has also threatened to call for accelerated general elections.
He further said that threats to forward the special session made by Assembly Speaker Amien Rais were merely political pressure. During his visit Abdurrahman also said that he had asked the MPR to formulate a decree on preconditions for him to deliver the accountability speech in 2004 instead of pushing him to provide such a report on August 1. "I've been very patient and allowed them (the MPR) to stage a special session which in my view is a breach of the Constitution," Abdurrahman said.
He also said that a special session should be integrated with a general session in the future so it would cause less financial burden to the state. During Friday's visit Abdurrahman also went to the grave of influential Muslim cleric KH Abdul Manan.
MPR to forward special session if President declares state of emergency
JAKARTA, 9 July 2001 - The People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais said on Friday that if President Abdurrahman Wahid declared a state of emergency the Assembly would hold the special session the following day, reports said. Amien said as quoted by Metro TV that if a state of emergency was imposed, the MPR would convene hours later in a plenary session to prepare for the special session.
"If at any time President Abdurrahman Wahid issues a decree on a state of emergency or dissolves the legislature ... we will hold a plenary session a couple of hours after that and the day after the decree is issued, we will hold the special session,"Amien said. The MPR special session, slated for August 1, is expected to hear an accountability speech by Abdurrahman for his chaotic 20-month rule and consider ousting him.
Abdurrahman, however, has stuck to his guns and has pledged to defend his presidential mandate, saying that MPR's move was unconstitutional.
'Latest news' feed