Indonesia's Impeachment Process

JAKARTA – A look at impeachment proceedings against Indonesia's President Abdurrahman Wahid:

— In January, a parliamentary commission implicated Wahid in two corruption scandals. He denied any wrongdoing.

— On Feb. 1, Parliament voted to censure him, opening the way for possible impeachment proceedings.

— On April 30, Parliament repeated the censure, allowing Wahid one more month to explain his actions. Wahid described the move as unconstitutional.

— On May 30, Parliament voted 365-4 to ask the top legislative body, the People's Consultative Assembly, to initiate formal impeachment proceedings. Thenal legislatures and social groups, needs two months to prepare for the special session. It could be convened by the beginning of August.

— The impeachment process is untested, and the assembly will establish rules for the proceedings in the coming weeks. Wahid will probably be given another chance to defend himself before a vote is taken on whether to remove him from office.

— It is unclear whether Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri would automatically succeed Wahid. The constitution says the vice president will inherit the top job only if the head of state resigns or dies in office.