Fate of regional faction still unclear

Fate of regional faction still unclear

JAKARTA (JP): The plenary meeting of the People's Consultative
Assembly's Annual Session skirted controversy on the issue of a
regional representatives faction when it referred to the issue to
be discussed in a commission.

"I personally agree with the establishment of a regional
representatives faction. But let the matter be discussed by the
Assembly's commission," Assembly Speaker Amien Rais said at the
opening of Monday's plenary session.

Amien was responding to interruptions by several regional
representatives during the opening proceedings demanding that the
Assembly accept a proposal to allow it to set up the faction.

The regional representatives demanded that the Assembly alter
its internal rule, specifically Article 13, which states that the
Assembly's factions should only consist of factions from
political parties, the Indonesian Military (TNI)/National Police
and representatives of societal groups.

Legislator Alex Hansekan, a representative from Irian Jaya
province, said the proposal was aimed at highlighting regional
development.

"We hope regional interests can be better heard with the
establishment of the faction," said Alex.

Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung said also his party could
accept a regional representatives faction.

"For the sake of the nation and regional development, the
proposal can be considered," Akbar, who is also speaker of the
House of Representatives, said after the session.

But senior legislator Aisyah Amini of the United Development
Party (PPP) rejected the idea of such a faction, saying that it
should be incorporated into respective political parties.

"The regional representatives are appointed by political
parties, so it's normal that they be grouped in political
parties' factions," Aisyah said.

On Article 49 of the internal rules, the Assembly agreed on
Monday to change the article to allow the Assembly's annual
session to "listen to and evaluate" the president's progress
report.

The previous article stated that the session would only listen
to the report. (jun)