Delay of Cholil's induction opposed

JAKARTA: The National Awakening Party (PKB) faction at the People's Consultative Assembly has opposed a plan to delay the induction of Cholil Bisri as the legislative body's deputy speaker to June 20.

Chairman of the party's faction in the Assembly, Yusuf Muhammad, met with the Assembly leaders to file its formal protest against the latter's decision to move back the date of a ceremony to swear in Cholil from its original schedule on June 5.

Gus Yus, as Yusuf is popularly known, said the delay violated an earlier agreement between PKB and Assembly leaders who had set a June 5 date for the ceremony.

PKB's objection has received support from Golkar, the United Development Party and the Reform faction.

Assembly speaker Amien Rais said many of the MPR leaders would not be available for the ceremony on June 5.

Reform faction chairman AM Luthfi said the Assembly leaders would regroup on June 3 to discuss PKB's protest. -- JP