DPR members to be installed on Oct. 1
DPR members to be installed on Oct. 1
JAKARTA (JP): President B.J. Habibie and the leadership of the
House of Representatives (DPR) agreed on Wednesday that new
members of the House and Indonesia's highest law-making body the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) would be installed on Oct.
1, as originally scheduled.
In a joint press conference with the President after a three-
and-a-half-hour "consultation" at Merdeka Palace, House Speaker
Harmoko said the decision adhered to the schedule set by the
General Elections Commission.
The House also supported Habibie's endorsement of the June 7
poll results as valid, but urged the President to take measures
to handle reported irregularities during the elections, Harmoko
said.
The new DPR and MPR members elected in the June 7 polls will
then draw up their own schedules, including sessions to establish
internal rulings, elect leadership and form factions, Harmoko
said.
Harmoko did not touch on the schedule for the election of the
next president and vice president. Earlier official statements
said the presidential election is due to be held in November.
During the meeting, Harmoko was accompanied by his four
deputies, who are the faction leaders of the Indonesian Military
(TNI), Golkar, the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the
United Development Party (PPP).
The President was accompanied by his four coordinating
ministers including Ginandjar Kartasasmita and Gen. (ret) Feisal
Tanjung, Minister of Defense and Security/TNI Commander Gen.
Wiranto and Minister of Justice/State Secretary Muladi.
Habibie did not make any opening remarks for journalists,
although he answered some of their questions. He appeared
surprised when a journalist asked him whether the Bank Bali
scandal would adversely affect his chances in the next
presidential election.
"It (the Bank Bali scandal) is still being processed in
accordance with the prevailing laws by the minister of finance
and the Bank Indonesia governor," Habibie replied.
When pressed further about the bank case, Habibie replied: "We
conducted this consultation not because we are responding to
(press) reports, but because we are proactive in anticipating
national problems."
Both Habibie and Harmoko insisted they did not discuss the
investigation into former president Soeharto during their
consultation, saying it had been discussed in a previous meeting.
The President expressed confidence that he would be able to
resolve the sensitive issue at the next MPR General Session.
"Insya Allah (God willing), we will be able to settle it
justly and wisely," the President remarked.
Harmoko pointed out the current House had passed 49 bills. He
expressed the hope that the DPR would be able to complete
deliberations of the bill on the media and the controversial bill
on state security and safety. (prb)