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)