Bintang formally kicked out of PPP

Bintang formally kicked out of PPP

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto has officially endorsed the
United Development Party's decision to withdraw its outspoken
legislator, Sri Bintang Pamungkas, from the House of
Representatives.

Hamzah Haz, chairman of the United Development Party (PPP)
faction in the House, said the President's May 8, 1995, decree
endorsing Bintang's expulsion was issued on Thursday.

"The House secretariat sent the letter to Bintang this morning
(Friday morning) and we received a copy," Hamzah told The Jakarta
Post last night.

He said Bintang is being replaced by little-known Hadimulyo, a
staff member in PPP's research and development section. He is
also a member of the People's Consultative Assembly.

The high-profile Bintang was not available for comment
yesterday.

The Moslem-oriented party has charged Bintang with frequent
deviations from its official line, offending several cabinet
ministers and questioning the state ideology Pancasila.

He has been charged by the police for his alleged involvement
in recent anti-Indonesian government demonstrations in Germany
during President Soeharto's visit.

The formal dismissal is expected to facilitate police
investigations into his alleged role in the protests, which were
spearheaded by European students and non-governmental
organizations.

On Thursday he refused to answer any of the investigators'
questions, insisting that President Soeharto had not officially
approved his dismissal.

Under the Indonesian legal system, written approval from the
President is required before a House or Assembly member can be
investigated.

Bintang said that he wouldn't "cooperate" in Thursday's
investigation because the letter of approval was signed not by
President Soeharto but by Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono.
(pan)