Indonesian crackdown signalled

Wahid says street violence could erupt if he is ousted

Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid is considering imposing a state of emergency if parliament pursues efforts to impeach him.

Members of parliament are due to meet on Wednesday to decide whether to call for impeachment proceedings to be set up. They have accused the president of corruption and incompetence - allegations which he denies.

A spokesman justified the plans, saying it would be needed to prevent violence if the national assembly begins impeachment proceedings.

'Lost support'

He said there would be an uncontrollable reaction from the president's supporters which could lead to riots similar to those in May 1998 when former President Suharto was forced to resign.

But our Jakarta correspondent Richard Galpin says Mr Wahid no longer enjoys the support of most of the military. Top generals have already publicly stated they will not enforce a state of emergency.

Megawati has ignored pleas to share power

A civil emergency is one degree below martial law. It would give the police sweeping powers of search and arrest and impose a curfew and press censorship, though a civil administration would remain in charge.

Our correspondent says his latest warning from the president may be more about increasing the pressure on political leaders to accept an offer he made on Friday to end the crisis.

He said he would hand over executive power to vice-president Megawati Sukarnoputri, whose party controls the largest number of seats in parliament. A majority of MPs want her to become president.

There are still a lot of uncertainties in the handover [of powers] concept, and it would lead to lengthy arguments

Megawati Sukarnoputri

So far, Mrs Megawati has failed to give any response to the offer. But leaders from her party and the other main factions in parliament have all rejected it.

Mr Wahid has warned that Indonesia will disintegrate if parliament's impeachment moves are successful.

The president warned that five provinces, including his home region of East Java, would unilaterally declare independence if he was forced from power.

Some supporters want to fight a "holy war" for Wahid

Mr Wahid had given his vice-president and chief rival until 1000 (0300 GMT) on Saturday to respond to the power-sharing offer.

In the press release issued by her secretariat, Ms Megawati said she had reservations over the offer, which she felt was legally shaky.

"The meaning of the offer to her by Wahid of 'constitutional duties' was unclear, and the proposal would have to be carefully studied, especially from the legal point of view," it said.

"In her opinion there are still a lot of uncertainties in the handover [of powers] concept, and it would lead to lengthy arguments," it added.

There is now very little time left for compromise.

It is expected that MPs will overwhelmingly call for the upper house to be called into session so impeachment proceedings can get under way within the next two months.