Golkar takes City Council speakership

Golkar takes City Council speakership

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

Councillor Ade Surapriatna of the Golkar Party faction secured
the City Council speaker's post in a dramatic election on Friday
by garnering 42 of 75 votes.

He defied earlier predictions that candidate Ahmad Heryawan of
the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) faction would become the new
speaker. Heryawan only managed to garner 30 votes.

With 18 votes and 16 votes respectively, from the PKS and the
Democratic Party, plus four other votes from the National Mandate
Party (PAN), he seemed to have the required number of votes to
win. Those three were up against the Nationhood Coalition
comprising the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P),
Golkar, the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS), the Reform Star Party
(PBR) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) with just 33 votes
between them.

"I am disappointed with the joint commitment and consensus
that had been made and feel betrayed... Some people clearly
tainted our agreement," Heryawan said, in reference to a written
agreement made between PKS and the Democrats.

Ilal Ferhard, a candidate from the Democratic Party, said at
least three councillors from the party voted for another
candidate. "We know that some members have gone against (the
agreement)."

He said the faction would consider imposing sanctions on its
members, who were found to be cast their votes for their personal
choice. "The sanction may include a recall of the council's
membership."

Two remaining votes went to Maringan Pangaribuan of PDI-P and
Ilal, respectively. A ballot paper for Heryawan was declared
invalid as it was wrongly folded.

"I believe there was an effort to doom Heryawan's bid in the
election as evidenced by the invalid vote. The council's internal
regulations clearly stipulate that any signs of irregularities,
like a folded card, will not be tolerated," said PAN councillor
Syamsidar Siregar.

She confirmed rumors swirling around that a meeting between
the councillors and candidates at two hotels in Central Jakarta
had taken place, but denied that it was to discuss power-sharing.

After being declared as the new chairman, Ade -- known to be
the wealthiest of all the councillors according to the Public
Servants' Wealth Audit Commission (KPKPN) and a 20-year veteran
of the council -- repeated his promise to "improve the
councillors dignity".

"I don't want to hear councillors taking more criticism (from
the public) than the executive branch of the administration. It
is our duty to monitor the performance of the executive, not to
be monitored by the public," the shipping magnate explained.

Two days prior to the election, Ade had promised that he would
increase the councillors monthly salaries and upgrade facilities
for them, including apartments.

He argued that better benefits and salaries would prevent
councillors from moonlighting so that they could focus all their
attention on their legislation roles.

Governor Sutiyoso welcomed the election result.

"It is good to know that Ade was elected. He is 'more
experienced' than other new candidates. He knows the existing
rules (in the relationship between executive body and legislative
body)," he said.

Sutiyoso denied allegations that he intervened in the
election.

The PKS is known for its critical stance against Sutiyoso's
administration policies, particularly forcible evictions against
squatters and street vendors. Observers said the election of
Heryawan, who is also PKS Jakarta chapter chairman, as the
council speaker could create strong opposition to the
administration's policies.