Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid today repeated a threat to declare a state of emergency if political opponents push ahead with efforts to oust him during an impeachment hearing early next month.
Addressing worshippers at a Jakarta mosque, President Wahid reiterated that demands by legislators that he account for his rule at the special impeachment session on August 1st were against the law.
The special session cannot discuss the president's accountability, President Wahid said in what has become his key defence to the hearing in the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), widely expected to result in his downfall.
"If this is touched upon then it violates the law. Therefore, I, as the president, must declare that the country is in danger through a state of emergency," President Wahid added.
The MPR will hold the impeachment session over President Wahid's 20-month shaky rule and two financial scandals. President Wahid has repeatedly threatened to impose a state of emergency and call snap elections if the MPR demands he account for his rule.