INDONESIA: WAHID CORRUPTION SCANDAL LATEST (2)
(1 Feb 2001) Eng/Indonesian
XFA
In a first step toward possible impeachment, parliament on Thursday accepted the findings of an inquiry that implicated Indonesia's president in two corruption scandals.
By a 393-4 vote, the legislature passed the censure motion demanding that Abdurrahman Wahid be made to answer the allegations against him.
The move could spark a constitutional crisis in the world's fourth-most populous nation because Wahid has said he is not answerable to parliament.
The thousands of anti-Wahid students marched toward parliament this morning calling for the nation's leader to step down.
Earlier this week, a report by a parliamentary committee implicated Wahid in the two multi million-dollar scandals, but presented no criminal evidence against him.
A showdown between the legislature and the president seemed inevitable on Thursday after the three largest parties in the assembly demanded he be forced to explain his role in the affairs.
Laksamana Sukardi is a member of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle which holds the most seats in the parliament.
It's headed by Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Wahid's possible successor.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"The PDI-P Association is strictly upholding our constitution. So, we also do not want to betray the people's aspiration in upholding the law. That's all."
SUPER CAPTION: Laksamana Sukardi, PDI-P (Democratic Party of Struggle)
The report by a parliamentary panel claimed Wahid was involved in the illegal transfer of 4 (m) million U-S dollars 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 2 (m) million U-S dollars donation from Sultan Hasanal Bolkiah, the ruler of neighbouring oil-rich Brunei.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We accept the investigation results by Pansus special committee on the case of Bulog and the charity of funds from the Sultan of Brunei."
SUPER CAPTION: Laksamana Sukardi, PDI-P (Democratic Party of Struggle
SOUNDBITE: (Indonesian)
"We urge the People's Consultative Assembly to proceed with the case by giving a warning or memorandum to President Wahid."
SUPER CAPTION: Ahmad Zawawi, Golkar Party Spokesman
Under Indonesian law, Wahid - Indonesia's first democratically elected head of state in 45 years - will have three months to answer the parliament's demands of accountability.
If he fails to respond satisfactorily to the assembly, it can grant him another month to do so.
After that, impeachment proceedings can be launched.
Late on Thursday, By a 393-4 vote, the legislature passed the censure motion demanding Wahid be made to answer the allegations against him.
Fifty deputies from Wahid's party walked out before the vote was taken.
There was no immediate response from Wahid.
Wahid has previously denied any wrongdoing and insists that parliament has no right to question his actions or demand his dismissal.
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter: / ap_archive
Facebook: / aparchives
Instagram: / apnews
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...