House factions battle for top posts
Tony Hotland, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Factions in the House of Representatives are drawing up strategies to snatch top positions in strategic commissions or auxiliary bodies, following the introduction of new guidelines on House leadership positions.
The guidelines, officially approved on Tuesday, pave the way for changes in the composition of leadership of a House commission, giving factions a proportional quota for top posts based on the number of acquired seats.
At present, the composition for a commission and/or auxiliary body is one chairperson and three deputies, most of which are occupied by legislators from major party factions that initially acted as opposition to the current government.
This composition, which was reached late last year after the House members were installed, caused ugly disputes between party factions. Compromises were made, with factions agreeing to a scheduled review.
Leading a commission is seen crucial for factions, as the chairperson has relatively more control to publicize and encourage debate on issues being deliberated during a hearing.
Leaders of a commission also allegedly get more "compensation" from "working partners," particularly commissions on mining (commission VII), public works/disadvantaged regions (V), finance (XI) and the now-infamous budgetary commission.
Under the new guidelines, there will be a single chairperson and four deputies in each commission or body.
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the second-largest faction, has plans for chairpersons and deputies in all House 16 commissions and auxiliary bodies.
"We're targeting Commission III (legal), IV (forestry), V, X (education) and the budgetary committee," PDI-P faction secretary Jacobus Mayong Padang said on Tuesday.
PDI-P now chairs these commissions, as well as the House inter-parliamentary body (BKSAP) -- members of which frequently holds sessions with foreign parliaments and go abroad.
But the party is in for a rough battle from the Golkar Party, the largest party in the House and the support of the current government, which also will get to sit chairpersons in four commissions and deputies in all commissions and auxiliary bodies.
"We expect to have at least one chairperson in commissions on politics, economics, development and public welfare issues," Golkar chairman Andi Mattalatta said. Golkar now chairs seven commissions and the House disciplinary body.
Golkar is also seeking the BKSAP chair.
Third-largest faction the United Development Party (PPP) meanwhile is set to vie for chairmanships in Commission I (defense/foreign), II (home affairs), V and VI (industry/trade).
The PPP currently has no chair positions in commissions and auxiliary bodies, but will get to install two chairpersons and six deputies, said PPP faction secretary Endin A.J. Soefihara.
Commission V is in the media spotlight following allegations its members were allegedly involved in the embezzling the state budget for disaster relief funds disbursed to the public works ministry.
Another major party, the National Awakening Party (PKB), was also keen on chair positions in either Commission VI or X, faction chairman Ali Masykur Musa said.
Currently chairing two commissions and the legislative body, the PKB will now only get one chairperson and six deputies posts.
Starting next week, party factions are likely to fill their three-week recess with lobbying and negotiations. The new composition is scheduled to take effect in 30 days from Tuesday.