House factions call for expedited special session

JAKARTA (JP): Five major factions at the House of Representatives after holding an informal meeting here on Friday underscored their intent to expedite the convening of a special session of the People's Consultative Assembly.

Representatives of the five factions -- Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Golkar Party, United Development Party (PPP), Reform Party and Crescent Star Party (PBB) -- were of the same view that the country was in peril due to disharmony created by President Adurrahman Wahid and the number of antigovernment demonstrations in several cities.

Meliono Suwondo, deputy secretary of the PDI Perjuangan faction, said his faction was deeply concerned with the President's current political moves in the lead up to the special session on Aug. 1.

"The President's moves to force a reshuffle in the National Police leadership and to investigate several political figures has confused the people while the recent issuance of Ministerial Decree No. 78 has also sparked violent labor rallies in several cities. All this has put the security of the country in jeopardy," he said in a joint press conference here on Friday.

Ali Marwan Hanan, chairman of the PPP faction, also warned that the country was in jeopardy.

"The situation may worsen unless the Assembly takes the initiative to expedite the special session," he said.

Syamsul Muarif, chairman of the Golkar Party faction, warned that the President might exploit the chaotic situation as a reason to issue a decree declaring a state of civil emergency.

"We're remaining alert against possible unrest that could be used by the President as an opportunity to declare a state of emergency and to dissolve the House," he said.

Arifin Panigoro attacked the President's decision to force National Police Gen. Surojo Bimantoro to enter into early retirement.

"The President has violated the 2000 MPR Decree on the role of the Indonesian Military when he forced Bimantoro to enter into retirement," he said.

Alvien Lie who represented the Reform faction, slammed the President's move to investigate House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, Arifin and Golkar legislator Nurdin Halid, describing it as politically motivated to take revenge against his political foes.

"The planned investigation into the three politicians is an abuse of power and against the State Policy Guidelines," he said.

Cooperation

Meanwhile, newly appointed Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Agum Gumelar met with House leaders on Friday in a bid to create a conducive atmosphere for cooperation.

"We agreed to cooperate to create a conducive climate to maintain the ongoing political process," Agum said after the consultative meeting.

Also attending the meeting were Minister of Home Affairs and Regional Autonomy Surjadi Sudirdja, Chief of the Indonesian Military's Territorial Affairs Lt. Gen. Agus Widjoyo, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno and faction leaders.

Agum conceded that among his most urgent tasks was to thaw the chilled relations between the President and the legislature.

"All these problems are part of my formidable task. I will try to solve them immediately to create a more conducive situation while the political process is under way," he said.(rms)