Tony Parkinson – Former Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid is planning to attend East Timor's independence celebrations next month, amid increasing doubts that his successor, Megawati Sukarnoputri, will accept her invitation to witness the emergence of the world's newest state.

Close friends of Mr Wahid say the logistics of his attendance at the ceremonies in Dili have still to be worked through, but they believe his presence could be an important symbolic gesture. The leaders of 25 nations are scheduled to fly into East Timor for the festivities on May 20.

In Indonesia, there is political controversy over whether Mrs Megawati, as head of state, should take up her invitation. Despite overtures from the new East Timor administration to bury old animosities, there is lingering resentment among hardliners in Jakarta over the loss of what Indonesia once called its 27th province. Is is expected Mrs Megawati may send one of her cabinet ministers.

But it is understood Mr Wahid, a respected figure in East Timor, is interested in taking part. Known popularly as Gus Dur, he made an historic visit to Dili in March, 2000, where, as president, he apologised for Indonesia's conduct during its 24-year occupation of the territory.

He has travelled extensively since being deposed as president in July last year. Although frail and blind, he has just completed a tour of Japan, and is due to arrive in Australia tomorrow, his first trip here since his successful visit as president a year ago.

He will spend Thursday in Melbourne, where he is to launch two books, one studying his career as Indonesia's leading Islamic scholar and democratic reformer, and the other examining his turbulent days in power.

At Melbourne University's Asia Centre, he will take part in a panel session with his former chief spokesman, Wimar Witoelar, and official biographer, Deakin University's Greg Barton. He will then fly to Sydney on Friday to speak at the Foreign Correspondents Club.

An Indonesian court decided yesterday to proceed with a landmark trial into the orgy of violence surrounding East Timor's independence ballot in 1999, dismissing appeals from four defendants to drop the case.

The trial is widely seen by the international community as a test of whether Jakarta is serious about bringing to book those responsible for the carnage that erupted when the tiny territory voted to split from Indonesia.