In a show of unity and solidarity Indonesia's beleaguered President Abdurrahman Wahid convened a meeting of his cabinet on Saturday, two days after a politically-damaging censure by parliament.
The two-hour closed-door cabinet meeting, which began at the presidential office at 10:00 am (0300 GMT), was presided over as usual by Wahid's vice president, Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Armed forces chief Admiral Widodo Adisucipto, was present, as were -- in a departure from normal practice -- the heads of the army, navy and airforce, an AFP reporter at the palace said.
"This cabinet meeting was held especially held to discuss the issues the government and the public are facing today," presidential spokesman Wimar Witoelar said as the meeting broke up at noon.
"It is also to show the president's seriousness in responding to the parliament's decision," he said, adding that a team had been drawn up to respond to the censure.
He added that it was also designed to demonstrate that all cabinet members were involved in making decisions, "to carry out reform without compromise."
Witoelar's comments were backed by State Research and Technology Minister Muhammad Hikam, who said "... every minister still supports Gus Dur (Wahid's nickname)."
But Justice Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra contradicted this account.
The meeting was "full of debate," Mahendra said, adding that he himself had advised Wahid to resign.
"Yes I conveyed that (resignation) message to him. I told him that if I were in his position I would prefer to resign."
It was not known whether Mahendra's call was the only one in the meeting.
Wahid himself, Witoelar said, was unfazed by the furore raised by the parliament and the mounting calls for him to step down to avoid a possible impeachment process.
The president remained convinced that it was the parliament -- and not the people -- who were against him, Witoelar said.
"He doesn't feel pressured by the people ... He is receiving intense support ... He gets phone calls in the middle of the night from people expressing their support," Witoelar said.
He also said the president had "absolutely no intention of heating up the (political) environment by words or deeds," and had urged the public not to take to the streets.
Massive but peaceful street protests by both pro and anti-Wahid supporters marked Thursday's parliamentary debate on the censure, and Witoelar's comment was taken as allaying fears Wahid's supporters might resort to violence.
The usually voluble Wahid, who on Friday insisted he intended to serve out his term until 2004, commented only briefly.
"Today's cabinet meeting was to listen to opinions from the ministers, and officials including the chiefs of staff to discuss what actions need to be taken to extend reforms and the supremacy of law," Wahid told journalists.
Since Thursday's censure -- which was based on the findings of a parliamentary committee that he "might" have been involved in one financial scandal dubbed "Bulogate" and had failed to account for another, known as "Bruneigate" -- Wahid has continued to protest his innocence.
Both the armed forces parliamentary representatives and the party of Vice President Megawati joined the censure.
Megawati, whose party is the largest in the lower house, and who would succeed Wahid should be resign, made no comment Saturday.
But Witoelar insisted she was sticking by Wahid.
"Yes. She was there and chaired the meeting. They make plans together to respond to the (censure) memorandum," he said -- JAKARTA (AFP)
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