Gus Dur to answer interpellation motion<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
\nconfirmed on Friday President Abdurrahman Wahid had agreed to
\nattend a House plenary session on July 20 to answer an
\ninterpellation motion.<\/p>\n
Akbar said he met with Abdurrahman to deliver the House's
\ninvitation to the session, which was originally slated for July
\n13.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman could not attend the session on July 13 because of
\nhis busy schedule and also required adequate time to prepare for
\nthe session, according to Akbar.<\/p>\n
\"So we had to adjust to the President's schedule. But the
\nimportant thing is that the President is willing to come,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
According to House rules, the President does not have to
\nattend the session to answer the interpellation motion.<\/p>\n
During the session, Abdurrahman is expected to be questioned
\nover his controversial policies, primarily the dismissal of state
\nminister of investment and state enterprises development
\nLaksamana Sukardi and minister of industry and trade Yusuf Kalla.<\/p>\n
The House voted overwhelmingly for the interpellation motion
\nlast week to seek an explanation from the President on a number
\nof matters.<\/p>\n
The President was earlier called by the House to explain his
\ndecision to disband the ministries of information and social
\naffairs last November.<\/p>\n
Both the President and the House have met three times for
\nregular consultation meetings in the first six months of
\nAbdurrahman's administration.<\/p>\n
Akbar said on Friday he did not know why the President chose
\nto answer the interpellation motion on July 20, the penultimate
\nday the House is in session for the May to July period.<\/p>\n
Asked if the President would be asked by the House to
\napologize for his controversial statements, Akbar said the House
\nwould welcome an apology.<\/p>\n
\"If Gus Dur admits his mistakes, we will forgive him because
\nas Indonesians we are friends,\" Akbar said, referring to the
\nPresident by his nickname.<\/p>\n
However, he said legislators from nine House factions might
\nwant to pursue the interpellation motion if they were unsatisfied
\nwith the President's explanations.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais
\nexpressed his belief that Abdurrahman would accept the House's
\ninvitation to explain his actions.<\/p>\n
\"If it's allowed by my religion, I bet on Gus Dur's
\nappearance,\" Amien, who is chairman of the National Mandate Party
\n(PAN), said.<\/p>\n
He said all the lingering problems of the interpellation
\nmotion would be settled if Abdurrahman appeared before the House
\nand answered their questions.<\/p>\n
He reiterated that the interpellation motion was not an effort
\nto topple the President.<\/p>\n
Analysts have speculated that Abdurrahman will appear before
\nthe House and deliver an apology if House members are not
\nsatisfied with his explanation that the two ministers were
\ndismissed for their involvement in graft.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman earlier said Yusuf and Laksamana were dismissed
\ndue to disharmony among his economic ministers. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/gus-dur-to-answer-interpellation-motion-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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