'Impeachment would be difficult': Experts

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sun, 07/29/2007 12:07 PM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Legal experts have expressed doubts the alleged first marriage of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would lead to impeachment, although they said it would tarnish the president's image.

Constitutional law expert Harun Al-Rasyid told The Jakarta Post on Saturday attempts to impeach Yudhoyono would not succeed because the alleged marriage did not occur during his presidency.

Bambang Widjojanto, former chairman of the Foundation of the Indonesian Legal Aid Institute (YLBHI), told the Post public officials could be impeached if they did something disgraceful during their time in office.

""Yudhoyono's (alleged) first marriage happened before he entered the Military Academy. His current performance has nothing to do with his past.

""It's not fair if his legal capacity is appraised based on his past. No man is perfect,"" Bambang said.

He suggested Yudhoyono file a lawsuit, in order to regain his honor and prevent public suspicion.

""Ask Zaenal to provide the evidence and then process it based on the law,"" he said, referring to dismissed House deputy speaker Zaenal Ma'arif, whose letter of dismissal had reportedly been signed by President Yudhoyono.

Zaenal accused the president of being married with two children before he entered the military academy in 1970. Zaenal claims he has video evidence of Yudhoyono's first marriage.

Yudhoyono denied the allegation, saying it was ""outrageous"". The president said he would file a lawsuit against Zaenal because the allegation had destroyed and broken his honor.

Bambang said the case has highlighted one of the biggest problems in this country -- bad governance.

""There is no transparency and accountability. This is exactly the crux of this case.

""Zaenal says he has evidence, yet he didn't reveal it until his position was threatened,"" said Bambang.

He said Zaenal could be tried in court for defamation if he was unable to produce the evidence.

Zaenal said he would present the evidence to the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), the House of Representatives and the Constitutional Court on Monday.

Allegations of Yudhoyono's first marriage are not new. Two days before the 2004 presidential election, Fakta tabloid ran several stories on what it called Yudhoyono's ""public deception"".

Harun said the incident was a ""politicized personal problem"" and would evaporate over time.

He advised Yudhoyono to remain calm in dealing with the matter to avoid political instability.

""Yudhoyono needs to focus on maintaining the stability of this country's political condition until 2009,"" he said, referring to the end of Yudhoyono's five-year tenure. (08)

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.