Indonesia: Wahid rejects financial scandal censure

The Indonesian president, Abdurrahman Wahid, has -- as expected -- rejected a parliamentary attempt to censure him over allegations of involvement in two multi-million dollar financial scandals.

Mr Wahid refused to accept the memorandum of censure, and accused the committee which investigated him of having no authority. He then handed over to a colleague to read a prepared statement rebutting the allegations. Representatives of the main opposition parties immediately indicated that they intended to bring a second motion of censure against Mr Wahid.

It could lead to his impeachment later this year.

The parliamentary session took place with nine thousand police officers positioned throughout the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, in anticipation of clashes between Mr Wahid's supporters and demonstrators calling for his resignation. No trouble has been reported so far.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service