Wahid returns home vowing to fight on

Wahid is reported to be working on a book giving his own view on his turbulent 20 month rule

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Former President Abdurrahman Wahid returned to Indonesia Friday, almost two weeks after parliament sacked him from his job.

Wahid, who was replaced by his deputy, Megawati Sukarnoputri, was welcomed home by a crowd of some 70 supporters at Jakarta's international airport.

Speaking shortly after his arrival he repeated his stance that his impeachment and forced removal from office was illegal and unconstitutional and said he would fight for democracy.

His return comes as Indonesians continue to await the announcement of Megawati's new cabinet -- a delay which analysts say risks creating further damaging uncertainty over Indonesia's future.

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The new president has pledged to unveil her new cabinet next week, however she has made no public comment on her plans since being appointed to the presidency on July 23.

"The president is aware of the importance of the cabinet and ... will definitely announce it next week," Megawati aide Bambang Kesowo told a news conference, without giving an exact date.

Some observers say the delay has sparked concern that Megwati may be having difficulties trying to accommodate the demands of the diverse coalition that brought her to power.

Financial markets have taken a sharp downward turn as they await the line-up for the new cabinet.

Kesowo said Megawati wanted to ensure the political parties that united behind her in the impeachment vote were consulted over a cabinet that must rise to the challenge of dragging Indonesia out of crisis.

Medical tests

Wahid left the country shortly after a special assembly of Indonesia's supreme People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) voted unanimously to force him out of power over his alleged role in two corruption scandals and for political incompetence.

He traveled to the United States where he underwent a series of medical checkups and treatment for high blood pressure at a hospital in the eastern city of Baltimore.

The former leader had initially refused to leave the presidential palace in Jakarta following the MPR vote, but relented three days later and flew out of the country.

Reports in local media say doctors had advised Wahid, who is frail and clinically blind, that he was at risk of suffering a third, possibly fatal stroke if he did not seek treatment.

His plans after returning are unclear, but some reports quote aides as saying he plans to set up a pro-democracy think tank.

Megawati is taking her time in announcing her cabinet

Supporters who welcomed his return at the airport held up a banner saying "Welcome the President of Indonesia's people."

Asked by reporters if he now accepted his dismissal Wahid said: "Those who violate the constitution must face the people."

He did not elaborate further.

According to the English language Jakarta Post newspaper Wahid is also planning to write a book on his 20 months in office.

The paper quoted his daughter as saying the book would explain the thinking behind his policies, including his order to issue a state of emergency decree to dissolve the legislative bodies on the eve of his impeachment vote.

Reuters contributed to this report.