Wahid did neither. Speaking to the press, he almost complimented lawmakers on their actions. “This is a big step in our education in democracy,” he said. Then he threw out an olive branch of sorts, saying that he’d invite several political reformers for talks on how political and economic change can be accelerated. It was vintage Wahid–contrite and clever when he needs to be.
Wahid still has some points in his favor. His political opposition is weak. The military, as well as supporters of former president Suharto, hope that Wahid will last until the 2004 election, when they believe voters will welcome them back into power as a force for stability. And Wahid still has the power of incumbency. His aides say he will lean on the attorney general’s office to pursue long-stalled corruption investigations of the Suhartos, their cronies and major banking scandals.
The man known as Gus Dur won’t go quietly. “Once again he’ll dodge and weave, say he’s sorry, promise to do better, make some symbolic changes,” says a Western analyst, “and then carry on as usual.”
