House likely to accept fuel price increase
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Medan
Contentious debate in the House of Representatives over the fuel price increase continued on Sunday, with pro-government factions gaining an upper hand as they prepare for Monday's plenary session.
As of 10 p.m. on Sunday no agreement had been reached among leaders of House factions, who met behind closed doors to help settle the lengthy debate that started last Monday.
Significant changes to the political configuration in the House occurred after the National Mandate Party (PAN) and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) decided to accept the government's policy.
While the PDS had opposed the increase and demanded a vote to settle the debate, PAN had been somewhat indecisive as it objected to the policy but suggested that the issue be settled by the relevant House commissions.
"We are going to accept the fuel price hike, because it's the government's right to increase it. But the House can play its part when we deliberate the state budget revision," PAN lawmaker Ahmad Farhan Hamid said.
Sunday's meeting was chaired by House Speaker Agung Laksono and attended by leaders of all 10 House factions, except the National Awakening Party (PKB), which also plans to snub Monday's session.
The latest development in the House has isolated the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) as the faction's 109 seats is far from enough to push for a political move against the government regarding the fuel price issue.
Earlier in the day, PDI-P said its opposition to the fuel price hike was not negotiable.
"Our faction has never considered a deal with the government because none of our members sit in the Cabinet. Instead, we have struck a deal with the people who suffer the most from the increased fuel prices," chairman of the party's faction in the House Tjahjo Kumolo said.
He said the faction was doing its supervisory job.
"Instead of listening to our arguments and the people's voice, the government has come up with the controversial policy," he said.
Meanwhile, the government expressed optimism that the House would support the government's policy, saying that most factions understand the financial problems the country is facing.
"I am sure the House will not establish a stance against the policy because, basically, they understand the difficulties facing the government and the nation," Vice President Jusuf Kalla said on the conclusion of his two-day visit to Sumatra on Sunday.
He admitted that Golkar Party, which holds the most seats in the House, has been busy approaching House factions to prevent the House from moving against the fuel policy.
Kalla, who also chairs Golkar, said the lobby was aimed at reaching "a positive outcome."
"It's not final yet, but the Golkar Party expects to continue the talks for a better result," he said in Medan, without elaborating.
Separately, leader of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Ali Masykur Musa questioned the change in mind of certain factions on the issue.
He said the changes took place after the House leaders managed to buy time, during which he suspected back-room deals had taken place.
"I have no proof, but I can feel it. I regret this kind of politicking," he added.
The government also dismissed speculation of a Cabinet reshuffle involving ministers whose parties displayed resistance to the fuel price hike.
But the reshuffle may take place anyway in October, according Kalla.
"That (the speculation) is not true. We will not dismiss ministers until (they have served) one year in office (in October)," Kalla said
Rumor has it that Susilo and Kalla have put pressure on the three parties to prevent any House move to take a political stance against the government over the fuel policy, although the government does not need House approval to increase fuel prices.