Government critics among new MPR members

Government critics among new MPR members

JAKARTA (JP): The newly inaugurated People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) promises to be a rambunctious body which includes
some of the harshest government critics from the past few years.

Names like Amien Rais and Permadi Satrio Wiwoho are among
those included in the illustrious list of Assembly members. Once
known for their unwavering opposition, they are now in a position
to show what they can do to help the country.

Permadi, following Friday's inauguration, exclaimed he was
enjoying the formal position he now attained.

Despite being elected as a legislator for the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Permadi asserted
that his first loyalty was not to the party, but to the people.
He went on to cite late American president John F. Kennedy, by
saying: "When my loyalty to my country begins, my loyalty to my
party ends."

Permadi is known for his controversial predictions and
activities with various nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). In
1996, he was sentenced to four months by a Yogyakarta court for
blasphemy.

In late 1997, Permadi made a prediction in The Jakarta Post
that 1998 would be a year of calamity and karma with an outbreak
of violence.

He also predicted the possibility of a leadership change. At
the time he said if Soeharto steps down, he would be replaced by
someone whose name ends with "no".

Permadi claimed on Friday that Soeharto had offered him
government positions in the past. "I rejected them because I
chose to struggle from outside the system," Permadi claimed.

"I take this position now because I've been struggling for
almost 30 years but without a maximum result."

"I think with such a critical moment now, I can do my utmost,
along with other PDI Perjuangan representatives, to bring a
better future for all of us," he said.

National Mandate Party (PAN) chief Amien Rais is another
strong critic of the Soeharto era. He was one of the most notable
proponents in the mass demonstrations which led to Soeharto's
resignation in May 1998.

"I feel all right, (but) I don't feel excited," Amien said
when asked of his new status.

"Of course, I have to do my best to represent my constituents,
but I have also to look at the bigger picture of this great
nation. What are the problems we are facing now and what kind of
solutions we will have to find out together as members of the
Assembly".

Amien recognized that the next few days will be daunting.

"I hope that by tomorrow afternoon, I think this matter will
be settled... In this building there will be a lot of horse
trading, who gets what, and I believe, as long as it is done in a
responsible way, whatever the result, it will be beneficial to
this great nation." (emf/byg)