House factions battle for top posts

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.