Indonesia's Cabinet met yesterday to grapple with a growing political crisis amid speculation that President Abdurrahman Wahid planned to declare a state of emergency to stave off the threat of impeachment.
A palace spokesman denied the ailing Wahid would take such drastic action, but confirmed he had discussed the idea.
Sources said Wahid had in recent days considered declaring a state of emergency -- which would enable him to dissolve a hostile parliament that is dragging the country's first democratically elected leader closer to impeachment.
Nineteen months into his rule, the erratic and nearly blind Wahid has been politically isolated since parliament twice censured him over financial scandals. Wahid has denied any wrongdoing.
Many Indonesians fear the removal of the Muslim cleric could trigger widespread violence from his fanatical followers. Jakarta was calm yesterday despite the flood of rumors.
A team of seven ministers has been trying to negotiate a compromise between Wahid and Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri that might placate MPs out to dump Wahid.
Ministers met for nearly three hours yesterday and said afterwards there was no easy solution to the crisis. Neither Wahid nor Megawati, who is expected to take power within months, attended.
"It seems that there is no single option which is not problematic," said a statement from chief security minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, read out by an aide after the meeting. "With that in mind, it is hoped the nation of Indonesia can find a solution which carries the least risk and price to pay."
No options were detailed, but Wahid has rejected giving Megawati more power, a proposal previously put forward by the team. It was unclear when the Cabinet would again discuss the issue.
Parliament meets on May 30 when it is expected to ask the top legislature, the People's Consultative Assembly, to convene an impeachment hearing against Wahid.
Underscoring the fractured politics in the fragile country, Wahid skipped the Cabinet meeting by heading for central Java, while Megawati Sukarnoputri refused to attend.
In a show of strength for the daughter of founding president Sukarno, tens of thousands of her followers earlier attended a rally of her party in East Java, demanding she be made president.
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