House factions call for expedited special session

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)