JAKARTA The head of Indonesia's National Assembly said Wednesday impeachment proceedings against President Abdurrahman Wahid would go ahead on August 1 regardless of whether Wahid attends.

"It's up to him, but bear in mind the MPR is the highest law-making body," National Assembly (MPR) Chairman Amien Rais told reporters when asked about suggestions that Wahid may fail to show up, AFP reported.

"Everybody from stone masons to the president has to follow the MPR's decisions," said Rais, who is considered Wahid's chief political foe.

"So if brother Wahid refuses to give account for personal reasons, the MPR will still go ahead with the special session on August 1."

The MPR has been mandated by the Lower House of Parliament (DPR) to conduct impeachment proceedings against Wahid in a special session scheduled to start on August 1.

Wahid will be asked to present an accountability speech to the 700-member MPR. If lawmakers reject his speech, he will have to deliver a second one.

Rejection of the second accountability speech would amount to impeachment.

Defense Minister Mohammed Mahfud said Tuesday Wahid may refuse to attend the hearing unless legislators specify exactly what they accuse him of doing wrong.

"It would be natural if the president refuses to show up if the request for the accounting is unclear," Mahfud told journalists.

"For example, if they say (Wahid) had violated his oath of office, they must mention, make clear which part of the oath has been violated."

The DPR initially focussed on Wahid's alleged involvement in two financial scandals as reasons for their first censure of the near-blind president in February.

But a second censure in April charged that he had violated his oath of office and an MPR decree guaranteeing that he was tasked with eradicating corruption from the government.

Rais said a comprehensive letter from the MPR asking Wahid to appear at the impeachment session and present an accountability speech would be delivered later this week.

"The complete contents will most likely be delivered within two to three days," he said, adding that a preliminary letter had been sent on Tuesday.

Rais said an accountability speech from Wahid was "clearly necessary because three times his response to the Lower House of Parliament's criticisms has been inadequate."

He said Wahid must be held accountable for his erratic performance over the past 20 months as Indonesia's first freely elected president.