PKS boycotts interpellation motion<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) has dealt an interpellation
\nmotion against the government a major blow following the
\nwithdrawal of its support for the move that was being spearheaded
\nby House of Representatives lawmakers from opposition parties.<\/p>\n
The motion could be lost if Vice President Jusuf Kalla's
\nGolkar Party manages to persuade the National Awakening Party
\n(PKB) faction to follow suit.<\/p>\n
PKB deputy chairman Mahfud M.D. admitted on Sunday that his
\nparty had been approached by Golkar.<\/p>\n
The interpellation seeks an explanation from the government
\nfor a controversial circular disseminated by vice presidential
\nsecretary Priyono Tjiptoherijanto last month, and was originally
\nsigned by 19 lawmakers from the PKS, PKB, Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI-P), United Development Party (PPP),
\nNational Mandate Party (PAN), Reform Star Party (PBR), Prosperous
\nPeace Party (PDS), and Democratic Pioneer Star (BPD) factions.<\/p>\n
Kalla's Golkar and Susilo's Democratic Party refused to back
\nthe move.<\/p>\n
An interpellation motion requires support of at least 10
\nlegislators from at least two factions, and then needs approval
\nfrom a plenary session of the House.<\/p>\n
With the PKS' exit, the move could still succeed as the seven
\nfactions supporting the motion control 321 of the 550 seats. But
\nif PKB, which has 56 seats, strikes a deal with Golkar, the
\nmotion will fail.<\/p>\n
PKS says the issuance of the circular was an internal problem
\nin the vice presidential office, thus requires no response from
\nthe House.<\/p>\n
\"It's not a substantial matter. We considered the issue
\nsettled after the secretary of the vice presidential office
\nresigned,\" PKS faction chairman Untung Wahono told The Jakarta
\nPost on Sunday.<\/p>\n
Untung said PKS lawmaker Zulkieflimansyah had withdrawn his
\nsignature in support of the motion.<\/p>\n
The circular, which Priyono said was issued after a briefing
\nfrom Kalla, asks Cabinet ministers and heads of government
\ninstitutions to consult House leaders before attending hearings
\nof House commissions, which often turn into empty, time-wasting
\ndebates.<\/p>\n
Signatories to the motion said that Kalla had acted beyond his
\nauthority.<\/p>\n
Kalla denied having ordered Priyono to distribute the
\ncircular.<\/p>\n
PDI-P legislator Hasto Kristiyanto, one of the motion's
\nsignatories, said the Vice President had gone beyond his
\nauthority.<\/p>\n
\"We want clarification from the President if he instructed the
\nVice President to assess the relationship between the House and
\nthe government,\" he told the Post on Sunday.<\/p>\n
House legislators had previously filed an interpellation
\nmotion to seek clarification from the President over his decision
\nto revoke a decree of his predecessor, Megawati Soekarnoputri, on
\nthe replacement of the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander.<\/p>\n
Abdurrahman Wahid was the last president to appear before a
\nHouse plenary meeting to explain his decision to dismiss
\nLaksamana Sukardi and Jusuf Kalla as state ministers for alleged
\ncorruption in 2001. Abdurrahman was later impeached.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pks-boycotts-interpellation-motion-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}