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)