Vievia Kim
3 Reasons for Gus Dur’s Resignation from the Presidency? Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur, the fourth president of the Republic of Indonesia, was dismissed from office in 2001. There were several factors that caused Gus Dur’s resignation from the presidency, here are some important points:
1. Alleged Corruption
Gus Dur faces accusations of misuse of funds from a foundation (the Bulog Employee Welfare Fund Foundation) and donations from the Sultan of Brunei.
2. Presidential Decree
Responding to accusations of corruption and calls to step down, Gus Dur issued a controversial Presidential Decree. This decree froze the DPR (parliament) and MPR (People’s Consultative Assembly), dismissed the National Police Chief (Chief of the Indonesian National Police), and froze Golkar, the dominant political party at that time.
3. Impeachment of the MPR
The MPR held a special session and found Gus Dur guilty of violating the constitution and MPR decisions. He was later dismissed from office and replaced by his vice president, Megawati Soekarnoputri.
It is important to note that allegations of corruption have never been proven. Some people argue that the accusations are politically motivated and that the impeachment process did not go through the proper legal channels.
Here are some additional details to consider:
Gus Dur’s Reform Agenda: He is known for his progressive policies and commitment to reform after the Suharto era. His efforts to dismantle Suharto’s legacy and empower marginalized groups may have drawn resistance from old forces.
Complexity of Indonesian Politics: The political landscape at that time was very complex, with various factions fighting for influence. The impeachment process is likely to involve a combination of factors beyond corruption charges.
In conclusion, Gus Dur’s ousting from the presidency was the result of various factors, including accusations of corruption, controversial Presidential Decrees, and the complex political climate at the time.
