167 legislators register for Kwik's meeting<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): At least 167 members of the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR) have registered to attend a meeting
\norganized by former Coordinating Minister for Economy, Finance
\nand Industry Kwik Kian Gie, slated for next week.<\/p>\n
Speaking at a media conference at his residence on Jl. Cilacap
\nin Central Jakarta on Wednesday, Kwik who is also a legislator
\nfrom the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
\nPerjuangan), said the gathering would be held on Nov. 11.<\/p>\n
\"Probably, the gathering will be held at Hotel Mulia, but I
\nhave yet to book the hotel.<\/p>\n
\"I'll bear all the expenses of the conference,\" Kwik said
\nafter meeting with several legislators who are members of the
\norganizing committee.<\/p>\n
He dismissed speculations that the gathering was an initial
\ncondition for a special session of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR) aimed at toppling President Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
He claimed to have invited all House legislators and Vice
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri, who also chairs PDI Perjuangan.<\/p>\n
\"Ibu Mega did not oppose the gathering. She agreed with it,\"
\nKwik said.<\/p>\n
In addition to legislators, the conference expects to attract
\nother prominent political figures because former Minister of
\nFinance Bambang Sudibyo, former Minister of Agriculture M.
\nPrakosa, and former Minister of Manpower Fahmi Idris are members
\nof the steering committee, along with Deputy House Speaker A.M.
\nFatwa, The Crescent Star Party (PBB) faction chairman Ahmad
\nSumargono and the National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Hatta
\nRadjasa.<\/p>\n
The conference organizing committee members are mostly young
\nand outspoken legislators, including Ade Komarudin of Golkar,
\nAlvin Lie of PAN, Hamdan Zoelva of PBB, Pramono Anung of PDI
\nPerjuangan, and Suryadharma Ali of the United Development Party
\n(PPP).<\/p>\n
Almost all of the organizing committee met at Kwik's residence
\non Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Registrations have been submitted by legislators from all 11
\nHouse factions, except from the President's own National
\nAwakening Party (PKB) and the Indonesian Military (TNI)\/Police
\nfaction.<\/p>\n
House Speaker Akbar Tandjung has opposed the gathering, saying
\nthat such a meeting was not necessary.<\/p>\n
\"I would not attend even if I were invited. I think such a
\nmeeting is unnecessary,\" Akbar, who is also chairman of Golkar,
\ntold reporters on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
He suggested that Kwik should propose his idea to the PDI
\nPerjuangan faction, which would then formally discuss the idea in
\nthe House.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Kwik sent invitation letters to members of the
\nHouse and the People's Consultative Assembly to hold informal
\ntalks on problems facing the nation.<\/p>\n
He said he organized the one-day meeting to facilitate
\ndialogue between legislators who share the same concerns about
\nwhat was going wrong with the country.<\/p>\n
\"The attendees should not represent their political parties,
\nbut themselves. They could come because they are members of the
\nHouse and the Assembly,\" he said in his letter. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/167-legislators-register-for-kwiks-meeting-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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