Dean Yates, Jakarta – Indonesian newspapers on Thursday warned more upheaval would follow President Abdurrahman Wahid's rejection of a parliamentary censure, and one leading critic said the Muslim cleric was on borrowed time.

Newspaper editorials welcomed the absence of protests on Wednesday when Wahid appeared before parliament to answer the rebuke, but some predicted opponents and supporters of the president would soon hit the streets again.

The Jakarta Post summed up the sentiment of many across the blighted country in an editorial entitled "What Next?". It said Wahid had either missed or chosen to ignore the point that he no longer had the support of most members of parliament.

"Once again, the country will be plunged into another period of uncertainty as the power struggle continues," it said, referring to the months ahead that could lead to the impeachment of Indonesia's first democratically elected leader.

Wahid on Wednesday rejected the censure over two financial scandals but for the first time apologised for any "inappropriate behaviour" during his erratic rule. The censure is the biggest threat to his rocky 17-month rule, which has failed to pull Indonesia out of crisis.

Key to Wahid's future will be the response of the biggest parliamentary party, headed by Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri, whom he edged out to win the presidency. Initial reaction from her party has been mixed, although several members have said a second censure was inevitable when the House formally replies on April 30. That would bring impeachment one step closer.

Amien Rais, Wahid's most vocal critic and head of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the top legislative body that would convene to consider impeachment, said the second censure was a foregone conclusion. "There is no question about that. I believe 99 percent that the second censure will be issued by parliament," he told Reuters Television in an interview.

Rais said he had urged Megawati not to hesitate in seeking the top job. Megawati is widely believed to covet the presidency, but does not want to be seen pushing her old friend out.

Blanket apology Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar told Reuters Television that the criticism from MPs of Wahid's response was predictable because they were primarily intent on ousting him. He said Wahid's apology on Wednesday was not specific because he wanted to cover anything that had upset the country.

"The president does not know exactly what it is that irritates them most, so he offered a blanket apology for any behaviour which has been considered unacceptable by the public," Witoelar said. That won some praise for the cleric.

"We have to respect the big-hearted attitude from the president who was willing to apologise to the House and the nation for his past behaviour..." the Kompas daily said. "We hope compromises can be reached, with everyone having a big enough heart to accept this ... for a better Indonesia."

Media Indonesia expressed relief at the lack of protests. "Unity is an expensive item in this republic ... and currently we are on the way to digging its grave. But yesterday we saw ... a uniting spirit [from protesters] to restrain themselves from going face-to-face on the streets," it said.

Leaders of various groups said they had convinced their members to stay off the streets to prevent an escalation of violence. But the Jakarta Post said even if Wahid somehow survived the latest battle with parliament, his lack of support among MPs would make his administration even more ineffective.