Ousted Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid announced Wednesday he will leave the state palace, ending a political impasse two days after he was replaced by his deputy Megawati Sukarnoputri.
Wahid, who initially vowed to stay put after accusing the national assembly (MPR) of illegally dismissing him, told television interviewers and visitors that he would leave for the United States on Thursday for medical check-ups.
As the palace saga neared resolution, the powerful MPR went into a second round of voting for a new vice president to fill the post vacated by Megawati, after none of the five candidates was able to win a majority.
Hamzah Haz, the 61-year-old leader of the Muslim-oriented United Development Party, ended up as the clear front runner with 238 votes, well ahead of former ruling Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tanjung with 177.
House rules require a candidate to win more than 50 percent if the first round is to be final. There were 613 deputies present, and four abstained.
Three candidates would contest the second round -- Haz, Tanjung and retired general Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who garnered 122 votes.
Akbar, whose candidacy has angered some Indonesians because of his links to the deposed dictator Suharto, told reporters he would not drop out.
"No, because I think it's a good reaction from our faction, 177 votes. It means the members of our faction are acting quite firm in following the instructions of the organization -- JAKARTA (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
