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.