Wahid unfazed by possible impeachment

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid, under fire over two financial scandals, said he is not worried about the possibility of being the next Asian leader to be impeached.

Wahid's comments came one day after he outraged a parliamentary team investigating the scandals by refusing to answer questions at a hearing.

The Moslem cleric, who denies wrongdoing over the scandals, could face complicated impeachment proceedings if the team uncovers evidence of criminal activity.

Lawmakers are to rule next Monday on what action to take over the two financial scandals, which have been under investigation since September and involve a total of 6.1 million dollars.

After a brief political honeymoon when he took power 15 months ago, Wahid has been under siege ever since.

But analysts say ousting the wily Wahid will be no easy matter, and some politicians fear the violence his downfall would trigger among his fanatical supporters.

Many politicians also have little faith that his Vice President, Megawati Sukarnoputri, could do a better job running one of the world's most unwieldy nations.

She would take over if Wahid stepped down or was impeached.

Around 200 Muslim students calling on Wahid to quit demonstrated at parliament on Tuesday, continuing what have become almost daily anti-Wahid protests in the past week.

Legislators invited to palace

In a bid to ease tensions, Wahid invited MPs to an informal gathering at the palace on Saturday. It was unclear if this only applied to members of the parliamentary team.

"The president regards all (parliament) members as his friends and brothers," spokesman Wimar Witoelar told reporters, trying to play down yet another Wahid row with parliament.

Earlier, the official Antara news agency quoted House speaker Akbar Tandjung as saying a full session of parliament would decide its course of action next Monday.

The parliamentary committee concludes its investigation on Thursday.

"The committee's recommendations will become the material for the House to make a decision on January 29," Tandjung said.

Lengthy and complicated impeachment proceedings could follow if the inquiry finds any wrongdoing by Wahid, who has been warned by politicians to pay heed to the dramatic downfall last week of Philippine President Joseph Estrada.

The parliament could also either formally rebuke the embattled Wahid or decide to take no action.

One scandal involves the theft of 4.1 million dollars from the national food agency Bulog by people claiming to be acting on Wahid's behalf, including his masseur.

The other concerns the president's acceptance, outside government channels, of a $2 million donation from the Sultan of Brunei in aid for the troubled Sumatran province of Aceh

Reuters contributed to this report.