Jakarta – The closed-door meeting between some of the nations top politicians at Al-Azhar Mosque in South Jakarta yesterday was an attempt to use religion for political purposes, says a loyalist of President Abdurrahman Wahid.
Taufikurrahman Saleh, a member of Wahids National Awakening Party (PKB), said there was definitely a political agenda behind the meeting.
Although he stopped short of saying the event was used to discuss efforts to oust Wahid, he emphasized that discrediting the president has become a standard part of maneuvering and bargaining between certain political parties.
Taufikurrahman said a certain group is now actively pushing for Vice President Megawati to take the presidency. But it remains questionable whether she has sufficient support to take over, he added.
He said current political maneuvers are far more dangerous than the controversial behavior of Wahid.
Among those attending the meeting at the mosque were Peoples Consultative Assembly (MPR) Speaker Amien Rais, Megawatis businessman husband Taufik Kiemas, legislator Sophan Sophiaan of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung.
Also present were leaders of the Crescent Star Party (PBB), Justice Party (PK), National Mandate Party (PAN) and Golkar Party. Wahids PKB was excluded from the meeting.
Despite coming to power with considerable support in October 1999, Wahid is now finding himself increasingly isolated. Many politicians and analysts believe he should step down before his term ends in 2004 because he has failed to overcome the nations many problems.
Political scientist Afan Gaffar yesterday said upholding the national interest is far more important than efforts to maintain power.
He said the meeting at the mosque was presumably an effort to shore up long-term support for Megawati, adding that if she takes over from Wahid, she will remain in power until 2004.
I assume the meeting aimed to ensure that if Megawati takes power, she won't end up as Indonesias Benazir Bhutto. On the contrary, MPR Speaker Amien Rais would give her his full support, he said.
Rais told reporters the meeting was held to discuss the national political situation, specifically to strengthen solidarity among political leaders from various backgrounds.
The brotherhood meeting was very good. It did not discuss nothingness, but discussed national problems, he said, adding that politics was the agenda behind the meeting.
Wahid was propelled to power by the Central Axis, a loose coalition of Muslim-based parties led by Rais, in order to prevent Megawati from becoming president. But it now appears that Rais and most of the Central Axis parties are now trying to strike a deal with Megawatis PDI-P in order to oust Wahid.
If togetherness is maintained, it could result in bright prospects to resolve the nations problems, said Rais.