Nov. 11 caucus established by 32 legislators<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Thirty-two \"alumni\" of a recent informal meeting
\nof legislators announced on Wednesday the establishment of the
\nNovember 11 Caucus, a discussion forum meant to seek solutions to
\nthe nation's problems.<\/p>\n
\"The caucus will organize weekly discussions where all its
\nmembers will be allowed to express their opinions and ideas
\nfreely.<\/p>\n
\"The results of our discussions will be put into
\nrecommendations for the House of Representatives and the
\nexecutive to follow up on,\" said Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) legislator Kwik Kian Gie, who initiated
\nthe Nov. 11, 2000, informal meeting of the legislators.<\/p>\n
He said the caucus was not meant to serve as a rival to the
\nHouse, but as an informal discussion forum for the legislators.<\/p>\n
\"The public should not be wary of the caucus. It has a noble
\nmission to help seek solutions to the nation's major problems.<\/p>\n
\"The caucus is not seeking to topple President Abdurrahman
\nWahid, although it may be very critical of the government,\" he
\nsaid, adding that similar caucuses could be found in many
\ndemocratic countries.<\/p>\n
Of the forum members, 13 are from PDI Perjuangan, six from
\nGolkar Party, three from the United Development Party (PPP), four
\nfrom the National Mandate Party (PAN), four from the Crescent
\nStar Party (PBB), one from the Justice Party (PK) and the
\nremaining one is an individual.<\/p>\n
Among them are Ade Komaruddin, Fahmi Idris, Syamsul Mu'arif
\nand Enggartiasto Lukito of Golkar; Bachtiar Chamsyah and
\nSuryadarma Ali of PPP; former finance minister Bambang Sudibyo,
\nHouse Deputy Speaker Hatta Rajasa and People's Consultative
\nAssembly Deputy Speaker A.M. Fatwa of PAN; Ahmad Sumargono and
\nHartono Mardjono of PBB; Arifin Panigoro, House Deputy Speaker
\nSoetardjo Soerjogoeritno, Mochtar Buchori, Sutjipto and Zulvan
\nLindan of PDI Perjuangan.<\/p>\n
No members of the Indonesian Military\/National Police or
\nNational Awakening Party (PKB) factions joined the forum.<\/p>\n
Ade Komaruddin said the caucus was expected to contribute to
\nthe House through the factions in the legislative body.<\/p>\n
\"We set up the caucus not to fight for power and our political
\ninterests, but for the interests of the nation,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Didi Supriyanto, a member of the PDI Perjuangan faction, said
\nthe caucus was needed because of the House's failure to carry out
\nits duties.<\/p>\n
\"The caucus would not be necessary if the House functioned
\neffectively,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Hartono Mardjono said all of the legislators who had joined
\nthe discussion forum were deeply concerned by the numerous
\nconflicts threatening national unity.<\/p>\n
\"We are all of the same opinion that the military and the
\nNational Police should no longer be persecuted for any
\nwrongdoings they may have committed in the past. They should be
\ngiven a role (in guarding the nation) in line with their defense
\nand security tasks,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that according to the caucus, the people and the
\nmilitary should join together to restore order and security and
\nreduce the threat of national disintegration.<\/p>\n
The caucus voiced concern on Wednesday with President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid's frequent overseas trips, which it said had
\ndone nothing to benefit Indonesia's foreign ties, especially with
\nneighboring countries.<\/p>\n
\"The President has made numerous foreign trips, but more and
\nmore foreign countries are losing sympathy for Indonesia,\"
\nHartono said, citing as an example the President's recent visit
\nto Singapore.<\/p>\n
He said no members of the UN Security Council took Indonesia's
\nside in the case of the three murdered UN humanitarian workers in
\nAtambua, East Nusa Tenggara, last September.<\/p>\n
Hartono also suggested Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab
\nfocus on his job of repairing Indonesia's ties with the
\ninternational community, rather than worrying about matters
\nbeyond his authority. (rms\/02)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nov-11-caucus-established-by-32-legislators-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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