House factions to discuss response to fuel hikes
House factions to discuss response to fuel hikes
Ridwan Max Sijabat, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
In the wake of protests against fuel price increases, a group of
House of Representatives legislators are preparing political
moves against the government's decision.
House Speaker Agung Laksono said on Wednesday that the House
would probably assemble on Friday to discuss the issue and take
an official stance.
"The House steering committee will hold a meeting to discuss a
proposal from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P)
for an extraordinary plenary session to respond the fuel price
hikes," Agung said.
He added that PDI-P's proposal had won support from several
other political parties.
There has been a wave of demonstrations across the country
protesting the government's decision to raise fuel prices by an
average 29 percent as of Tuesday. Prices of basic commodities and
public transport fares have gone up as a result of the new fuel
policy.
Separately, several House legislators representing the
National Awakening Party (PKB) sought support on Wednesday for
their motion for an inquiry into the government's move.
"Our motion is in accordance with House standing orders and
Law No. 22/2003 on the composition and connection of legislative
bodies that allows lawmakers to investigate alleged violations
committed by the government," chief of the PKB faction Ali
Masjkur Musa said.
As of Wednesday, 15 legislators had signed their support for
the motion. Such motions require the support at least 13
lawmakers from more than one faction in order for it to be
discussed in a plenary session.
A House inquiry into former president Abdurrahman Wahid's
involvement in a scam led to his impeachment in 2001.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the National Mandate Party
(PAN), the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous
Peace Party (PDS) have also expressed their opposition to the
fuel price hikes, but they have not decided what action they will
take.
PKS faction chairman Untung Wahono said his party rejected the
hikes because they lacked the political support of the House and
violated Law No 36/2004 on the 2005 state budget that requires
the government to consult the House in the event of budget
revisions.
"Raising fuel prices is not the only alternative available to
reduce the deficit in the state budget. The government could push
for efficiency and reduce leakage in the state budget instead,"
he said.
Agung and Ali Masjkur were of the same opinion, saying that
relevant House commissions had not approved the fuel price hikes.
They claimed also that the government did not anticipate the
impact of the policy.
Ali Masjkur said many parties have demanded that the fuel
price increases be delayed.