(21 May 1998) English/Nat

Indonesia's leading opposition figure Amien Rais has called for parliamentary elections within six months.

But Rais told a news conference that calls for the new President, Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie, to resign are unrealistic.

Habibie, the country's former Vice-President and close ally of his predecessor Suharto, was sworn in on Thursday.

Opposition leader Amien Rais the outspoken head of the country's second-largest
Muslim group has spent the last week backing massive student demonstrations -- as well for Suharto's resignation.

On Thursday morning, Suharto stepped down after 32 years in power.

And in his place, he appointed his Vice President and long-term confidant President Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Well I share the student's ideas that Habibie may not be a good replacement for Suharto but I want to be realistic. Even if I have time I would tell the students who are still in the parliament building to be realistic too. We have constitutional factors that Habibie was sworn in and we just go ahead with our opposition but I think expecting and demanding that Habibie must resign now is too much now."
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, opposition leader

But Rais warned that Habibie should consider his tenure as temporary because of popular demands for parliamentary elections.

An electoral assembly of the new legislators would then choose a president.

Rais said he would not be swayed by the new president.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Even if he offers me a job I'll turn it down of course because it is unethical for an opposition leader to take up a job in the government which opposes of course."
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, opposition leader

Rais also suggested that an investigation should be launched into the Suharto family wealth.

Nepotism and corruption enriched the Suharto family and a circle of close friends, giving them an estimated worth of more than 16 (b) billion U-S dollars.

In his first speech to the nation as president, Habibie said his would be "a clean government, free from inefficiency, and the practices of corruption, collusion
and nepotism."

Rais said he is skeptical of some of Habibie's promises, but said given the country's current, dire financial situation, there was not much Indonesia could do but follow the wishes of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"To me there are necessary reforms, we don't like to be dictated by IMF but there is no other choice so we just swallow the bitter pill in order to be happy in the future."
SUPER CAPTION: Amien Rais, opposition leader

Shortly after Suharto's departure, Rais had a private meeting with the country's new President to discuss some of his concerns.

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