Embattled Wahid told to reform to survive

In this story: Calls to step down Fears of violence RELATED STORIES, SITES

By staff and wire reports

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid's ministers have told him to hold his tongue and revamp his cabinet if he wants to survive in office.

Local media reported on Thursday that a team of ministers, set up by Wahid to help him reply to the censure, had recommended a cabinet reshuffle to give more power to the major political parties.

The reports came as Wahid attempted to shore up public support as he faces possible impeachment over corruption allegations.

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The Muslim cleric ignored his second rebuke from parliament in a televised address on Wednesday, instead stirring nationalist sentiments, and promised to do more to overcome national crises.

The rebuke over Wahid's involvement in two financial scandals takes him a step closer towards impeachment and what many analysts say is almost certain political doom after just 18 months in office.

The Jakarta Post daily quoted Defence Minister Mahfud MD as suggesting the cabinet needs to be reshuffled for Wahid to survive in office.

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"If the option is power sharing, the ministers, especially those in the political, social and security fields, will invite the President and Vice President to rearrange the cabinet, if the present one is deemed not be effective," Mahfud said.

Calls to step down

But they did not, Mahfud said, suggest Wahid give in to the calls of his growing number of opponents that he step down.

The leading Kompas daily quoted a source close to the presidency as saying ministers had also asked Wahid to be calm in his response to the censure.

Wahid has been at loggerheads with parliament almost from the day he took office in 1999 and is openly critical of legislators.

"One of the main triggers of the growing conflicts between the president and legislators, is Gus Dur's reactive and emotional attitude," the source said, referring to Wahid by his nickname.

Wahid pointedly made no reference to a parliamentary censure in his televised address, aired on Wednesday night after being pre-recorded earlier in the day, which is expected to be one step of many in the process of impeachment.

Wahid calls for unity in a national televised speech

In largely conciliatory comments, Wahid offered kind words to the parliament he has been at loggerheads with for most of his 18-month rule.

He also complimented the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which has the power to sack him. The MPR next meets in August, the time many analysts believe Wahid would most likely be impeached.

"I express gratitude to all sides, the parliament for its good decisions," the president said in the speech.

"The parliament and the MPR do not have an easy task. The parliament has a legislative duty to oversee a number of draft laws which ... currently stand at 160 ... and need to be passed soon," he said.

Wahid added that the MPR had to make sure that the government did not stray.

Fears of violence

On Monday, parliament formally rebuked the Muslim cleric for a second time over his involvement in two multi-million dollar financial scandals; a move many feared would trigger more bloodshed and instability.

The 60-year-old has denied any wrongdoing, and has accused legislators of skirting the constitution in their attempt to try to push him from office.

The near blind and very frail leader also thanked Indonesians, including the military and his supporters who held a mass rally in the capital on Sunday, for ensuring that the past few days had been peaceful.

Fears were held at the weekend that demontrations to support Wahid might turn violent, as thousands of his fanatical followers converged on Jakarta claiming they were willing to die to defend him.

While Wahid's speech avoided any mention of the censure, he did say the government had to give a proper account of its actions.

"An honest accountability from the government to the people is also an obligation that cannot be avoided," he said.

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters of the nation, let's build together in every aspect, especially to revive our economy so Indonesia can be a great nation and earn a respectful position among the world's nations."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Indonesian government

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