Wahid faces hostile parliament

Police say clashes are expected between rival groups

Indonesia's President Abdurrahman Wahid is facing parliament in what could be his final attempt to hold on to power after nearly 18 months of controversial rule.

Thousands of extra police were put on alert ahead of the president's appearance in parliament amid fears of street clashes between his supporters and opponents.

Correspondents did not expect Mr Wahid to be able to win over hostile deputies who have censured him for his alleged role in two financial scandals involving a donation by the Sultan of Brunei and embezzlement from a state agency.

Wahid: Called for understanding and humility

Mr Wahid, accompanied by the popular vice-president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, began by making a short opening remark.

Newly-appointed Justice Minister Baharudin Lopa then began reading out the president's 16-page formal reply to the censure.

If Mr Wahid fails to sway parliament, deputies could pass a second censure motion at another debate on Friday, which would pave the way for Mr Wahid's impeachment.

Mr Wahid maintains his innocence of the allegations, but has offered to negotiate a new balance of power with parliament.

Speaking to a judges' convention on Tuesday, he said the constitution gave the head of state too much power which encouraged the kind of abuses carried out by his predecessors in decades of authoritarian rule.

He is at our mercy

Wahid opponent

But until the constitutional changes can take place, he told the judges, both president and parliament should show understanding and humility towards each other.

Analysts say most MPs have lost faith in Mr Wahid's ability to govern the country.

"He is at our mercy," opponent Alvin Lie said.

Clashes anticipated

In recent weeks the president's supporters and critics have staged near-daily rival demonstrations in Jakarta.

On Tuesday, 1,500 of Mr Wahid's supporters rallied in Jakarta calling for the death of the speakers of both houses of parliament.

Police commissioner Anton Bahrul Alam told the media that police were anticipating clashes between the rival groups on Wednesday.