Harmoko installs new assembly members<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR) Harmoko swore in 27 new members yesterday, 24 of whom
\nrepresent the dominant political group Golkar.<\/p>\n
Some of the new appointments are politicians and public
\nfigures known to be close to President B.J. Habibie, including
\nhis aide, political scientist Dewi Fortuna Anwar, and cabinet
\nministers Theo L. Sambuaga, Adi Sasono and Agung Laksono.<\/p>\n
Harmoko, who is also chairman of Golkar's executive board,
\ninsisted the appointments were part of periodic changes in the
\nassembly, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
Those who were replaced were mostly the wives and offspring of
\nformer and serving government officials. They voluntarily
\nresigned following nationwide calls for an end to corruption,
\ncollusion and nepotism in the government.<\/p>\n
The children of former president Soeharto, who are Golkar
\nrepresentatives in the Assembly, however, have kept their MPR
\nseats despite demands for their resignation.<\/p>\n
Golkar leaders have called on their representatives in the
\nAssembly and the House of Representatives who owe their seats to
\nfamily ties to resign rather than await expulsion.<\/p>\n
Soeharto's youngest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra, has said he
\nwould only resign if formally asked by his Golkar constituency in
\nSouth Sumatra.<\/p>\n
The 1,000-strong MPR is due to convene for an extraordinary
\nmeeting in November or December, making its composition crucial
\nin determining the outcome.<\/p>\n
Harmoko told reporters yesterday that there should be no more
\nchanges in the Assembly's membership after this month because a
\nworking committee would start preparations for the meeting.<\/p>\n
The 27 new MPR members sworn in yesterday are: Tuty Sinsuw
\nGundong and Dewi Fortuna Anwar, representing the functional
\ngroup; Theo L. Sambuaga, Lahmuddin Fattah, Radi A. Gany,
\nSoekartono Hadiwarsito, Ridwan Hisyam, Widarto, Mediteransjah,
\nSoendoro, Adi Sasono, Endang Harsono, Nadjib Sungkar, Moh. Aly
\nYahya, Mashud Wisnusaputra, Yuddy Chrisnandi, Darwis Nasution,
\nNinik Tommy Joesoef, HR Agung Laksono, Suprapto Nitihardjo,
\nJohannes A Sinungan, Abdul Bari A, A. Hafiz Zamawi, Nafsiah Umar
\nSalim, HR Usman Draman, Barlan Lubis, representing Golkar; and
\nKhalid Abdullah Karamah, who represents the United Development
\nParty faction.<\/p>\n
Noted ulema Ali Yafie was supposed to be installed yesterday
\nbut he reportedly turned down the offer, while Golkar Secretary-
\nGeneral Ary Mardjono failed to turn up, apparently because he was
\nbusy with preparations for today's Golkar congress.<\/p>\n
Separately, Ary denied yesterday he had signed a letter to
\nrecall 104 Golkar members in the House, including Harmoko.<\/p>\n
Copies of the letter, with Ary's signature, have been
\ncirculating among Golkar leaders here to attend the congress.<\/p>\n
\"That letter is a forgery designed to discredit my good name,\"
\nAry told reporters at Golkar's headquarters, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
He said the Golkar executive board had not discussed any plans
\nto recall its representatives in the House.<\/p>\n
The list of the 104 names includes Harmoko, Abdul Gafur,
\nBurhan D Magenda, Amir Santoso, Agung Laksono, Lukman Harun,
\nRully Chairul Azwar, Rhoma Irama and Marwah Daud. (emb)<\/p>",
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