Robert Go, Jakarta – The majority of Indonesia's legislators indicated yesterday that they would give President Abdurrahman Wahid more time to prove his ability to govern the trouble-ridden country. But they remained critical of the President's progress report in his long-awaited "state of the union address" at the national assembly.

Following Mr Abdurrahman's address, which was delivered yesterday by State Secretary Marsilam Simanjuntak, leading members of the top legislature, the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), complained that the President still lacked solutions and a firm vision for the country.

"The speech failed to address the problems that need to be handled by the government," said Mr Akbar Tandjung, Speaker of Parliament and chief of the Golkar party, the second strongest faction in the MPR with over 26 per cent of the 695 seats. "Instead it gave many justifications for the current administration's shortcomings," he criticised.

Ms Aisyah Aminy, a legislator from the United Development Party (PPP), took issue with how the report neglected to address many of the country's critical problems, including sectarian violence and calls for separatism from Aceh and West Papua. "What of the refugee issues and natural disaster relief efforts like in Poso, Maluku and Bengkulu?" she asked.

Mr Joko Susilo of the National Mandate Party (PAN), which organised the central axis Islamic coalition that pushed through Mr Abdurrahman's bid for the presidency last October, echoed his peers. "The President did not report progress, he just accounted for his government's activities over the last 10 months and gave too many excuses."

Underlining the disappointment felt by legislators, however, was a sense of resignation that Mr Abdurrahman still commands sufficient popular support to remain in office. "Gus Dur should be given another six months or so, beginning next month, to show change," said Golkar Chief Treasurer Fadel Muhammad.

Mr Sukowaluyo Mintorahardjo, from Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri's Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said: "The President has outlined the difficult reality of the situation. Progress is on the right track and the results require more time to be realised." At stake is how much room for manoeuvre Mr Abdurrahman's political rivals in the legislature will be willing to give him.

A Cabinet reshuffle has been promised soon after the end of the MPR session in two weeks and leaders of the political parties appear more willing to discuss the controversial proposal of including a "First Minister" to assist with the day-to-day running of government.

The President's supporters have indicated that the next Cabinet will be composed of professionals capable of turning the country around, but have warned the situation will not improve unless other political parties support recovery efforts.