Akbar installs 13 legislators

Akbar installs 13 legislators

JAKARTA: Defying a ruling from the State Administrative Court (PTUN) to delay the inauguration, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung installed on Thursday 13 House members as part of the so-called interim replacement.

Speaking after the ceremony, Akbar said that he insisted on officiating at the ceremony for the 13 politicians, because he had not yet received a copy of the ruling.

He said that the ruling was submitted to the President, not to his office.

Responding to a lawsuit from the dismissed legislators, PTUN suggested that President Megawati Soekarnoputri delay the inauguration of the replacements.

"We respect the ruling and will be ready to give an explanation," Akbar said on Thursday.

Of the 13 dismissed legislators, two were from the Reform faction and 11 legislators were from the Golkar Party. -- Antara