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Date sent: Fri, 11 Aug 2000 14:25:31 -0600 (MDT)
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Subject: [INDONESIA-NEWS] JKTP - Megawati, Aides Doubt Gus Dur's
Promises
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http://www.thejakartapost.com:8890/iscp_render?menu_name=hitlist_details&id=2422737
Megawati, aides doubt Gus Dur's promises
National News - August 12, 2000
JAKARTA (JP): There remains a lingering apprehension in some quarters
close to Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri about the truthfulness
of the President's announcement that he would delegate more power to
her.
This wariness was in part reinforced on Friday when President
Abdurrahman Wahid said he was not delegating authority to Megawati but
rather day-to- day duties.
Pramono Anung, deputy secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), conceded there was a degree of
suspicion among the party's rank-and-file.
However, he expressed hope that through his statesmanship Abdurrahman
would realize the consequences of failing to fulfill his commitment to
the country.
"We also expect the Assembly issues a recommendation as a political
umbrella for the Vice President while our presidential system remains
intact," Pramono told The Jakarta Post.
Separately, one of Megawati's aides at the vice presidential office
said to the Post that the vice president herself was also somewhat
skeptical about the President's promise, given that he had made
similar pledges to share duties with her before.
"I have known him for a long time, and I know that he will never
voluntarily give me a great role in the government," one of the vice
president's assistants, who asked not to be named, quoted Megawati as
telling her aides soon after the President's announcement at the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) plenary session on Wednesday.
The aide pointed out that the President's initial stance to introduce
a first minister or a coordinating minister to manage daily government
affairs was an indication of his reluctance to empower Megawati.
A vice presidential official pointed out that the President's pledge
to delegate more duties to Megawati was not a new development, saying
he had made similar statements in the past. The problem is Megawati
has never been given the appropriate authority to carry out these
responsibilities, he added.
Over the past 10 months, the President has issued seven decrees
authorizing the Vice President to handle various issues, from violence
in Maluku to separatist sentiments in Riau and Irian Jaya.
"Ibu Megawati has practically never been fully authorized to handle
these matters despite repeated promises," the official said.
Despite this, the official was confident the Vice President would not
exploit the Assembly's growing dissatisfaction with Abdurrahman to
consolidate her own power, saying she strictly abided by the 1945
Constitution.
During a Wednesday meeting with her aides, Megawati recalled how last
year some Assembly factions had tried to ensure that she would not
play significant role in the government.
"But now these factions which opposed me last year are coming to me
just because they are no longer happy with the President," the aide
quoted Megawati as saying, while adding that she remarked that "those
who underestimated my capabilities now praise me."
Despite the disappointments, Megawati seems committed to assisting and
supporting the President in leading the country, said the official.
(prb)
Jusfiq Hadjar gelar Sutan Maradjo Lelo
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