President Abdurrahman Wahid's reply to a censure motion today could trigger a last-ditch round of corrupt deal-making to try to ensure his political survival, according to analysts.
More than 1,000 Wahid supporters demonstrated in Jakarta yesterday and police were on high alert in anticipation of unrest ahead of the parliamentary session.
Parliament reprimanded Mr Wahid on February 1 for acting improperly over two financial scandals - opening the way for the leader's possible impeachment. Mr Wahid has already said he has done nothing wrong and is expected to restate his innocence to parliament.
'We mustn't close a window to the fact that Wahid may survive, but he will have to give some concessions,' said veteran political analyst Harold Crouch, head of the Indonesian office of the International Crisis Group.
Parliamentarians have given themselves a month to consider Mr Wahid's reply and will use the time for serious bargaining, said Mr Crouch.
Political lecturer and member of Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri's Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Cornelis Lay, said it could open the way for a free-for-all of corrupt deal-making. 'It won't be only money but other deals and, of course, the mobilisation of people on the streets,' he said.
Fears are rising of a dangerous confrontation on the streets between Wahid supporters and opponents in what could be a bloody conclusion to the battle to unseat him.
