Lindsay Murdoch, Jakarta – Six months after becoming Indonesia's first democratically elected president, Mr Abdurrahman Wahid, is facing mounting criticism from some of his once strongest Muslim allies, including the influential parliamentary Speaker, Dr Amien Rais.
Amid many controversial reforms introduced by Mr Wahid one issue is emerging as a threat to his hold to the leadership: his push to rescind a 1966 decree banning communism.
Dr Rais's stand reflects the deeply held view in Indonesian society, including among some of the political elite, that communism has been responsible for most of the evils that have dogged the country for decades. The now discredited former president Soeharto often used trumped-up allegations of communist links to destroy his political opponents.
In the wake of an aborted 1965 coup, hundreds of thousands were were killed when Muslim activists led attacks on alleged communists and other groups.
Almost two years after Soeharto's fall Muslim politicians are still fuelling fear and ignorance of the ideology. The Islamic Crescent Star Party, which supported Mr Wahid's election over Indonesia's most popular politician, Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri, has threatened to press for his impeachment during parliamentary sittings in August.
Other members of a loose alliance of Islamic parties which backed Mr Wahid for the presidency have indicated they are considering withdrawing their support over a range of policies. Some want to see Mr Wahid replaced by Ms Megawati, with Mr Akbar Tanjung, a member of Soeharto's Golkar party, to become vice-president.
While the country's military, which has dominated civilian affairs for decades, has largely stayed out of the debate, some of its top officers are known to be strongly opposed to lifting the ban on communism.
Dr Rais, whose support for Mr Wahid was crucial to his election last October, yesterday described the move to allow communism as "stupid" and warned the President's position would be put at risk unless he rectifies his "mistakes". His comments come amid reported backroom dealings between major parties to remove Mr Wahid from office after his return to Indonesia on Monday from a nine-day foreign tour.
"First of all he [Mr Wahid] has to stop irresponsible statements, and then he has to go to his office every day just like other presidents," Dr Rais said. "You know ... he must not travel around again and again, both domestically and abroad ... and he has to focus his attention on economic affairs."
Criticism of Mr Wahid during his visit to South Africa, Cuba, Japan and Hong Kong prompted Ms Megawati to reaffirm her loyalty upon his return. The Jakarta Post newspaper quoted a source close to the palace as saying that she "assured the President she would never break her pledge to be his loyal partner under any circumstances".
Mr Wahid has insisted that lifting the 34-year-old ban on communism would bring about national reconciliation. Asked about growing criticisms of him, Mr Wahid said: "Sometimes these people don't understand. They say that I am careless but they're actually the ones who make reckless statements."
A growing number of politicians are calling for the August general session of the People's Consultative Assembly, or MPR, to be turned into a emergency session to put Mr Wahid's presidency under scrutiny. Cabinet appears divided on many issues amid rumours of an imminent ministerial reshuffle.
Asked about the possibility of the August session turning into a forum on his performance, Mr Wahid said: "Go ahead, I have no problem with that but I think [the process] will not be as easy as that."