Government critics among new MPR members<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The newly inaugurated People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR) promises to be a rambunctious body which includes
\nsome of the harshest government critics from the past few years.<\/p>\n
Names like Amien Rais and Permadi Satrio Wiwoho are among
\nthose included in the illustrious list of Assembly members. Once
\nknown for their unwavering opposition, they are now in a position
\nto show what they can do to help the country.<\/p>\n
Permadi, following Friday's inauguration, exclaimed he was
\nenjoying the formal position he now attained.<\/p>\n
Despite being elected as a legislator for the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Permadi asserted
\nthat his first loyalty was not to the party, but to the people.
\nHe went on to cite late American president John F. Kennedy, by
\nsaying: \"When my loyalty to my country begins, my loyalty to my
\nparty ends.\"<\/p>\n
Permadi is known for his controversial predictions and
\nactivities with various nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). In
\n1996, he was sentenced to four months by a Yogyakarta court for
\nblasphemy.<\/p>\n
In late 1997, Permadi made a prediction in The Jakarta Post
\nthat 1998 would be a year of calamity and karma with an outbreak
\nof violence.<\/p>\n
He also predicted the possibility of a leadership change. At
\nthe time he said if Soeharto steps down, he would be replaced by
\nsomeone whose name ends with \"no\".<\/p>\n
Permadi claimed on Friday that Soeharto had offered him
\ngovernment positions in the past. \"I rejected them because I
\nchose to struggle from outside the system,\" Permadi claimed.<\/p>\n
\"I take this position now because I've been struggling for
\nalmost 30 years but without a maximum result.\"<\/p>\n
\"I think with such a critical moment now, I can do my utmost,
\nalong with other PDI Perjuangan representatives, to bring a
\nbetter future for all of us,\" he said.<\/p>\n
National Mandate Party (PAN) chief Amien Rais is another
\nstrong critic of the Soeharto era. He was one of the most notable
\nproponents in the mass demonstrations which led to Soeharto's
\nresignation in May 1998.<\/p>\n
\"I feel all right, (but) I don't feel excited,\" Amien said
\nwhen asked of his new status.<\/p>\n
\"Of course, I have to do my best to represent my constituents,
\nbut I have also to look at the bigger picture of this great
\nnation. What are the problems we are facing now and what kind of
\nsolutions we will have to find out together as members of the
\nAssembly\".<\/p>\n
Amien recognized that the next few days will be daunting.<\/p>\n
\"I hope that by tomorrow afternoon, I think this matter will
\nbe settled... In this building there will be a lot of horse
\ntrading, who gets what, and I believe, as long as it is done in a
\nresponsible way, whatever the result, it will be beneficial to
\nthis great nation.\" (emf\/byg)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-critics-among-new-mpr-members-1447893297",
"image": ""
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