Akbar rules out informal House conference<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
\ndismissed on Friday any informal meeting between legislators to
\ndiscuss the nation's present problems.<\/p>\n
\"It's better to be formalized and use the existing
\ninstitution. If the meeting would be held outside, it should not
\ncarry the name of the legislature,\" Akbar, who is also chairman
\nof the Golkar Party, said.<\/p>\n
He was commenting on a letter signed by former senior minister
\nof the economy, who is now legislator of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Kwik Kian Gie,
\nwhich invited members of the House of Representatives and the
\nPeople's Consultative Assembly to hold informal talks on problems
\nfacing the nation.<\/p>\n
Akbar claimed that Kwik was not representing PDI Perjuangan,
\nthe largest faction in the House, but was only expressing his
\npersonal disappointment with the shortcomings of the government
\nin coping with the obstacles.<\/p>\n
\"If there is dissatisfaction with the government, it should be
\nexpressed through his faction,\" he remarked.<\/p>\n
But secretary-general of the Crescent and Star Party (PBB)
\nM.S. Ka'ban welcomed Kwik's idea, saying the legislators have
\nalready met separately to discuss the nation's problems.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, the meetings to discuss the current problems have
\nbeen conducted by the legislators informally,\" Ka'ban told
\nreporters.<\/p>\n
Although he admitted to not yet receiving Kwik's \"invitation\",
\nKa'ban said such a meeting was needed to seek solutions to the
\nproblems.<\/p>\n
In the letter dated Friday, Kwik invited members of the
\nlegislature to discuss the problems in an informal meeting, the
\ndate of which was unspecified.<\/p>\n
He said he wished to facilitate the one-day talks between the
\nlegislators who share the same concerns about what is going wrong
\nwith the country.<\/p>\n
\"The attendees should not represent their political parties,
\nbut themselves. They could come because they happen to be members
\nof the House and the Assembly,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Kwik said in his letter that people have now become confused,
\nworried and insecure as a result of the problems plaguing the
\nnation, such as the threat of disintegration and an upsurge of
\nviolence.<\/p>\n
He deemed that the problems were the fruits of a rotten
\nsocioeconomic condition, which was marked by huge unemployment
\nand widespread poverty.<\/p>\n
\"At the same time, we see injustice where tiny groups of
\npeople enjoy incredible luxury and wealth through illegal
\npractices,\" Kwik remarked.<\/p>\n
He complained about the injustice which could also be seen in
\nthe legal process against violators in economic fields, not to
\nmention weaknesses in upholding the law.<\/p>\n
He feared that people would think that abusing the law is
\nnormal, if the legislators do not take a firm stance on this.<\/p>\n
\"Chaos and anarchy will take place more frequently. The threat
\nof the nation's disintegration could become reality,\" he remarked
\nin his three-page letter.<\/p>\n
Kwik suggested that the legislators seek a common denominator
\nto address the problems, saying they should do so to counteract
\nthe public's accusations that the political elites are just
\ncreating further disputes and confusion. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/akbar-rules-out-informal-house-conference-1447893297",
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