Harmoko anxious to assume prestigious House speaker post<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Harmoko, a cabinet minister for
\n14 years, is scheduled to be inducted today as a member of the
\nHouse of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly,
\nalong with 999 other people.<\/p>\n
The former minister of information, who had banned several
\npublications during his tenure, also concluded yesterday his
\nbrief stint as State Minister of Special Assignments. He was
\ngiven the post, of which the sole duty was to brief new
\nlegislators on the tasks of the House, and was replaced by former
\narmy chief of staff Gen. Hartono in June.<\/p>\n
Harmoko spoke to The Jakarta Post last week at his office.<\/p>\n
Question: How are your preparations for entering the House of
\nRepresentatives (DPR)?<\/p>\n
Answer: I have followed all procedures for my nomination from
\nthe very beginning. I was nominated by the West Java province as
\nits first legislative candidate. Then Golkar won May's general
\nelection. (Today) I will enter DPR representing Golkar... and
\nthis is not my first assignment in DPR. From 1977 to 1982, I was
\nalso a legislator.<\/p>\n
Q: You are tipped to be elected as House Speaker. How do you feel
\nabout that?<\/p>\n
A: It (the election) totally depends on the working mechanism of
\nDPR. I will follow that mechanism. If you ask me whether I am
\nready for the post, I will firmly say that I am very prepared, if
\nI am trusted.<\/p>\n
Q: What is your view on the role that the House plays?<\/p>\n
A: The 1945 Constitution gives a clear definition about the
\nfunction of DPR. The legislative body has several main duties.<\/p>\n
First, it is tasked with initiating legislation. In
\nanticipating globalization and the third millennium, we need
\nstrong legal products. The laws must be able to accommodate
\nrising public demand. For instance, to anticipate the free trade
\nera in 2000... we must have a strong law on fair business
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
Q: Secondly?<\/p>\n
A: On supervision duties. DPR is mandated by the constitution to
\nconduct political supervision over the government, including the
\nPresident. DPR must become a strong and authoritative body.<\/p>\n
(Born in Nganjuk, East Java, on Feb. 2, 1939, Harmoko began
\nhis career in journalism in 1960. He was the founder of the
\npopular Pos Kota daily and Terbit afternoon daily.)<\/p>\n
Q: If as a legislator you face a strong government, how will you
\ndeal with it?<\/p>\n
A: We must be supported by strong and accurate facts and
\nknowledge. We must upgrade the quality of our legislators. They
\nmust also be supported by a strong team of people with various
\nexpertise.<\/p>\n
(Harmoko inaugurated on Monday a 25-member expert team to
\nassist the Golkar faction in the eight House commissions. The
\nlist includes outspoken legal expert Loebby Loqman, foreign
\naffairs observer Dewi Fortuna Anwar, former mining and energy
\nminister Subroto and economist Umar Juoro.)<\/p>\n
Q: What are the duties of these experts?<\/p>\n
A: They are expected to provide Golkar faction members with
\nstrong advice and analysis. So we don't just talk without any
\nbasis. The government will be pleased with strong criticism. You
\nknow that the President himself has often pointed out the
\nimportance of a strong legislative body.<\/p>\n
Q: What is the third mission of DPR?<\/p>\n
A: It's on the budget. DPR must take initiative in proposing the
\nannual state budget. At least we can initiate strategic budget
\nallocations to enhance the equal-distribution program, and to
\nassist the government to refocus its development strategy.<\/p>\n
Q: What is your plan to boost DPR's role?<\/p>\n
A: The leadership of DPR must discuss this issue later, because
\nwe have our own internal rules.<\/p>\n
Q: How have you managed to carry out different assignments?<\/p>\n
A: I always feel grateful for duties given to me. You know, I was
\nchairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association from 1973 to
\n1983. As a Moslem I always thank God for the trust given to me. I
\ntry to do my best for my country. As Golkar chairman I was tasked
\nwith winning the May general election.<\/p>\n
Q: What is your secret that you have been able to survive in
\nservice for such a long time?<\/p>\n
A: I always follow the President's guidance and instruction
\nbecause I am responsible to him as a cabinet minister.<\/p>\n
Q: How did you feel when you banned the three newsweeklies --
\nTempo, Editor and DeTik -- in 1994?<\/p>\n
A: In heart and soul, I'm a journalist. I was very concerned at
\nthat time. But whoever the minister had been at that time he
\nwould have made the same decision. (prb)<\/p>",
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