House may drop interpellation

JAKARTA: The House of Representatives canceled on Friday the discussion on the interpellation of the President after 11 of its 20 initiators withdrew support for the demanded inquiry into President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's move to chair Cabinet meetings via a video linkup from New York earlier this month.

The House's standing orders require at least 13 signatures to file an interpellation.

Among those who withdrew their support were legislators from the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the United Development Party (PPP) and the Star Reform Party (PBR).

Initiator Ali Mochtar Ngabalin criticized party and faction leaders for ordering their members to withdraw their support, saying it crippled an individual legislator's right to be critical of government policies.

He said the party and faction leaders had also been pushed by the government to back down from any attempts for the summons of Susilo over the controversial video linkup that cost up to Rp 500 million (US$50,000). --JP