Jakarta – Three elements of the Central Axis, the main supporters of President Abdurrahman Wahid in the latest general session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), have hinted that they may withdraw their support for Wahid's administration.
Leaders of the three parties – the United Development Party (PPP), the National Mandate Party (PAN), and the Crescent and Star Party (PBB) – expressed their dissatisfaction over a number of policies made by Wahid, better known as Gus Dur.
Husnie Thamrin, a PPP deputy chairman, said that the party will discuss the performance of Gus Dur and his leadership in the upcoming party national working meeting. "During the meeting, we will make a decision on whether we will still support Gus Dur or not," said Thamrin here yesterday.
Chairman of the Reform Faction in the House of Representatives (DPR) Hatta Rajasa said Indonesia needs a leader who is not only democratic and a reformist, but also someone who does not spark conflict.
He stressed that the MPR annual session could be changed into an MPR special session which could be used to evaluate President Wahid's performance. "Indonesia has many leaders who are recognized by the people like Megawati Soekarnoputri, Akbar Tandjung, Hamzah Haz, and Amien Rais," said Rajasa, who is also a PAN's legislator.
Achmad Soemargono, a PBB de-puty chairman, said that Wahid has violated the constitution because many of his statements have caused horizontal conflicts in the society. Therefore, he urged all factions in the House, to use the momentum of the annual MPR session to evaluate the performance of President Wahid's administration. "As a consequence of any violation against the constitution it is the MPR special session [which will be used to evaluate president's performance]," according to Soemargono.
PPP, PAN and PBB are the three main parties of the Central Axis, which became the main sponsor of Wahid's presidential bid in October 20, 1999. PPP has 59 seats in the House, PAN 35 seats and PBB 12 seats. The Central Axis is also supported by other smaller Islamic parties.
Wahid defeated Megawati in the presidential election after the central Axis was supported by Golkar and Gus Dur's national Awakening Party (PKB). The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), chaired by Megawati, won a majority vote in the June 7 general election, but she did not obtain significant support from other parties.
The latest statement which sparked public debate over President Wahid was his wish to lift the MPR decree on the ban on communism. Most of the Central Axis elements reject the president's proposal. PPP is also unhappy with the sacking of PPP Chairman Hamzah Haz from his cabinet position. "Pak Hamzah Haz has been thrown in to rubbish can," said Thamrin.
Although the party decision will be decided at the party meeting, Thamrin himself said that PPP needs to revise it's role in the President Wahid administration. He said that as a party which won significant seats in the House of Representatives, PPP has no significant role in the government.
Thamrin also said that his party is ready to cooperate with PDI- P. "It is very possible that PDI-P will cooperate with Golkar and the Central Axis," Thamrin said. He was referring to the possibility of making Megawati president in the next August MPR session. "If such a cooperation has a mutual benefit, why not," he said, adding that he has met with Megawati several times.