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Parliament censures president over graft scandals in landslide vote

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February 2, 2001 

JAKARTA-- (AP) - In a first step toward possible impeachment, parliament voted in a 393-4 landslide on Thursday to accept the findings of an inquiry that implicates Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid in two corruption scandals.

Presidential aides denied speculation that the embattled head of state was about to quit.

The assembly appeared determined to force Wahid to address graft allegations against him, raising fears of a constitutional crisis in the world's fourth-most populous nation that has long been wracked by politically inspired violence.

Forty-three deputies from Wahid's party walked out as the vote was taken after more than 10,000 anti-corruption protesters took to the streets.

Some lawmakers demanded the president step down immediately.

"If I were in his shoes that's the most peaceful exit method I would take," said Alvin Lie, the deputy head of the corruption inquiry.

Presidential aides, however, said Wahid was determined to fight on and that his Cabinet and the military remained loyal.

"He is not going to resign. The constitutional process is not finished yet. Why should he resign?" Yahya Staquf, a spokesman for the embattled head of state said.

In recent days Wahid has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the scandals and has maintained that he is not accountable to parliament.

"He believes the people still want him," Justice Minister Yusril Mahendra said as the president held crisis meetings with officials, supporters and attorneys at the state palace.

Lawmakers are expected to debate Thursday night what action they will be taken against Wahid. Most favored sending him a strong reprimand in what would be a first step toward impeachment. Others said impeachment proceedings should be launched immediately.

With such an overwhelming defeat in the legislature, Wahid's political survival hinges largely on Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

Wahid, who dramatically outmaneuvered her in a presidential race when an electoral college voted him into office 15 months ago, maintains he still enjoys her backing.

She is his most likely successor and has yet to comment publicly on his fate.

Perhaps ominously for Wahid, it was her party, the largest in parliament, that led the charge against him along with the Golkar Party of former dictator Suharto.

Representatives of the powerful military also voted against Wahid. Out of the 10 factions in parliament, only two - including Wahid's own National Awakening Party - defended him.

Former allies of Wahid have abandoned him blaming his chaotic and abrasive leadership style for the failure of the government to deal with Indonesia's many problems, including a deep economic crisis and bloody civil unrest.

Earlier this week, the report by a 50-member parliamentary committee implicated Wahid in the two multimillion-dollar scandals. It accused him of acting improperly, but presented no conclusive evidence that he had benefitted from the schemes.

Under Indonesian law, Wahid - Indonesia's first democratically elected head of state in 45 years - will have three months to respond to the lawmakers' demands that he explain his actions. If he refuses to comply within 90 days, the legislature can initiate a lengthy legal procedure to remove him from office.

The road to impeachment could stretch into August under Indonesia's complex legislative rules.

Thousands of protesters, most calling for Wahid to quit, rallied at the heavily guarded parliament Thursday. Some brawled with groups that supported the president, but dispersed peacefully when heavy rain fell before the vote was taken.

Many students carried sticks and some wore surgical masks in case police use tear gas. But fears of widespread violence did not eventuate.

The report by a parliamentary panel claimed Wahid was involved in the illegal transfer of dlrs 4 million from the coffers of the state food agency, Bulog, by a former business associate of the president. It also accused him of failing to officially declare a dlrs 2 million donation from Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah, the ruler of neighboring oil-rich Brunei.

Wahid has maintained that the money was used to help displaced people in a the war-torn province of Aceh. But the inquiry said it was unclear where the money went.