Harmoko anxious to assume prestigious House speaker post

JAKARTA (JP): Golkar chairman Harmoko, a cabinet minister for 14 years, is scheduled to be inducted today as a member of the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly, along with 999 other people.

The former minister of information, who had banned several publications during his tenure, also concluded yesterday his brief stint as State Minister of Special Assignments. He was given the post, of which the sole duty was to brief new legislators on the tasks of the House, and was replaced by former army chief of staff Gen. Hartono in June.

Harmoko spoke to The Jakarta Post last week at his office.

Question: How are your preparations for entering the House of Representatives (DPR)?

Answer: I have followed all procedures for my nomination from the very beginning. I was nominated by the West Java province as its first legislative candidate. Then Golkar won May's general election. (Today) I will enter DPR representing Golkar... and this is not my first assignment in DPR. From 1977 to 1982, I was also a legislator.

Q: You are tipped to be elected as House Speaker. How do you feel about that?

A: It (the election) totally depends on the working mechanism of DPR. I will follow that mechanism. If you ask me whether I am ready for the post, I will firmly say that I am very prepared, if I am trusted.

Q: What is your view on the role that the House plays?

A: The 1945 Constitution gives a clear definition about the function of DPR. The legislative body has several main duties.

First, it is tasked with initiating legislation. In anticipating globalization and the third millennium, we need strong legal products. The laws must be able to accommodate rising public demand. For instance, to anticipate the free trade era in 2000... we must have a strong law on fair business competition.

Q: Secondly?

A: On supervision duties. DPR is mandated by the constitution to conduct political supervision over the government, including the President. DPR must become a strong and authoritative body.

(Born in Nganjuk, East Java, on Feb. 2, 1939, Harmoko began his career in journalism in 1960. He was the founder of the popular Pos Kota daily and Terbit afternoon daily.)

Q: If as a legislator you face a strong government, how will you deal with it?

A: We must be supported by strong and accurate facts and knowledge. We must upgrade the quality of our legislators. They must also be supported by a strong team of people with various expertise.

(Harmoko inaugurated on Monday a 25-member expert team to assist the Golkar faction in the eight House commissions. The list includes outspoken legal expert Loebby Loqman, foreign affairs observer Dewi Fortuna Anwar, former mining and energy minister Subroto and economist Umar Juoro.)

Q: What are the duties of these experts?

A: They are expected to provide Golkar faction members with strong advice and analysis. So we don't just talk without any basis. The government will be pleased with strong criticism. You know that the President himself has often pointed out the importance of a strong legislative body.

Q: What is the third mission of DPR?

A: It's on the budget. DPR must take initiative in proposing the annual state budget. At least we can initiate strategic budget allocations to enhance the equal-distribution program, and to assist the government to refocus its development strategy.

Q: What is your plan to boost DPR's role?

A: The leadership of DPR must discuss this issue later, because we have our own internal rules.

Q: How have you managed to carry out different assignments?

A: I always feel grateful for duties given to me. You know, I was chairman of the Indonesian Journalists Association from 1973 to 1983. As a Moslem I always thank God for the trust given to me. I try to do my best for my country. As Golkar chairman I was tasked with winning the May general election.

Q: What is your secret that you have been able to survive in service for such a long time?

A: I always follow the President's guidance and instruction because I am responsible to him as a cabinet minister.

Q: How did you feel when you banned the three newsweeklies -- Tempo, Editor and DeTik -- in 1994?

A: In heart and soul, I'm a journalist. I was very concerned at that time. But whoever the minister had been at that time he would have made the same decision. (prb)