Jakarta – In a new twist to Indonesia's political turmoil, the national assembly chairman Friday warned President Abdurrahman Wahid he would face a snap impeachment hearing if he swore in a new police chief. It was the latest manoeuvre in a game of brinkmanship, which has seen Wahid tussling with his arch political foes to gain the upper hand as they fire off threat upon counter threat.

Presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar earlier Friday announced Wahid would swear in Commissioner General Chaeruddin Ismail, who was appointed in early June as police chief to replace General Suroyo Bimantoro. But the threat drew a sharp response from Amien Rais, chairman of the national assembly, or MPR.

"If President Abdurrahman Wahid swears in [a] new police chief later at 4pm, we will later tonight hold a plenary session for the convening of the special session tomorrow [Saturday]," said Amien Rais, Wahid has still not won parliamentary approval for the new appointment, and the outgoing police chief has refused to hand over his command saying his replacement is illegal without it.

Witoelar was unable to explain why Wahid, whom parliament is trying to impeach for alleged misrule and over two financial scandals, wanted the swearing-in to go ahead before getting approval. "With the swearing in, it gives us enough reason to bring forward the special session because the public is exhausted and they need an assurance," Rais, one of Wahid's arch political foes, told reporters after meeting MPR faction leaders here.

The national assembly is already angry at Wahid's repeated threats to declare a state of emergency, which would empower him to dissolve parliament and call early elections, thus avoiding impeachment. The impeachment hearing has been scheduled for August 1, but MPs have warned if Wahid declares a state of emergency they will hold a snap session.

In a bid to buy time to reach a compromise, Wahid said Friday he will put off declaring a state of emergency until July 31, but it may be too little, too late. The party of Vice President Megawati Sukarnopturi, who stands to take over from Wahid, immediately threw its support behind a possible snap session on Saturday.

"We agree with the MPR leaders' decision to hold the special session tomorrow if the president goes ahead with the swearing in," secretary general Sucipto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggletold AFP. The PDIP holds the largest number of seats in the assembly.

Lower house speaker Akbar Tanjung also accused Wahid, known as Gus Dur, of disregarding the law. "If Gus Dur swears Chaeruddin in, that means he's ignoring the national assembly decree number 7, 2000," he was quoted as saying by Detik.com news portal. "Candidates for police chief need the parliament's approval ... but we have not yet approved Chaeruddin's candidacy," Tanjung told reporters.

Local media said Wahid had sent a letter to parliament on Thursday asking it to approve Ismail's appointment, but MPs had said it could not be dealt with until parliament reconvenes on August 16.

Wahid suspended Bimantoro on June 2 after he opposed the president's threat to declare a state of emergency and formally dismissed the defiant police chief on June 30. But Bimantoro has refused to accept his dismissal and has also rejected Wahid's offer to be Indonesia's ambassador to Malaysia.

The national assembly, the top legislature, wants Wahid to account for his turbulent 20 months in office. The president will be impeached if his account is rejected. Wahid has admitted he has neither the support of the military or police for declaring a state of emergency.