Executives don't have to quit political parties: Akbar

Executives don't have to quit political parties: Akbar

JAKARTA (JP): Political party leaders are not required to
leave their party posts after being appointed to government
positions, despite public demands that they do so, House of
Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung said.

"It is not mandatory. They don't have to quit their positions
in their respective parties," he said at his office on Monday.

He admitted that maintaining party leadership while holding a
government post could give rise to a conflict of interest.

"But even if they quit their party posts there is no guarantee
that there will not be a conflict of interest," he said, as
quoted by Antara.

Therefore, he said, it is the public's duty to supervise all
policies undertaken by the government to prevent any conflicts of
interest.

Many observers here have suggested that government officials
should relinquish active membership in political parties so that
they can concentrate on their duties.

At least three political party leaders have been appointed as
government officials: President Megawati Soekarnoputri,
chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan); Vice President Hamzah Haz, chairman of the United
Development Party (PPP); and Minister of Justice and Human Rights
Yusril Ihza Mahendra, chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB).

"The policies undertaken by executives are not the same as the
ones taken by the legislature. Executives' policies immediately
affect the public," he added.

State Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium
Enterprises Alimarwan Hanan firmly expressed his refusal to leave
his position as PPP's secretary-general, saying there is no
reason to do so.

"There is no regulation on that, so I will not leave my
position as PPP secretary-general. Instead, I will work harder
for my party," he said after the new administration's first
Cabinet meeting on Monday.

Meanwhile, PDI Perjuangan secretary-general Sutjipto said that
Megawati was still needed as party chairwoman although she was
now the country's president.

"PDI Perjuangan still needs Ibu Megawati as the uniting
element of the party. We are not yet ready for her to leave the
party," he told television station Metro TV. (bby)