House members seek to question President
JAKARTA (JP): Almost half of the 500 legislators in the House of Representatives have agreed to exercise their interpellation rights to question President Abdurrahman Wahid over his recent controversial policies.
As of Friday, 238 legislators, mostly from the dominant Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) and Golkar Party, have signed the interpellation proposal, with some 100 more lining up to do so, Golkar faction deputy chairman Marzuki Achmad said on Friday.
He said the quizzing of Abdurrahman, if approved by the House, would focus on why he dismissed Laksamana Sukardi and Yusuf Kalla last month as state minister of investment and state enterprises empowerment and minister of trade and industry respectively.
"We are optimistic we can obtain support from the majority of the House for the proposal," Marzuki said.
At least 10 legislators from two factions are needed to propose the House to exercise its interpellation right, according to a House internal ruling. The House's consultative body will assess the proposal's eligibility before the final decision is taken in a plenary House meeting.
A PDI Perjuangan legislator Sabam Sirait said most of the House legislators were confused by the President's decision to sack Golkar member Kalla and PDI Perjuangan's functionary Laksamana for alleged corruption, collusion and nepotism.
"If the House is unsatisfied with the President's clarification, a special committee to probe the allegation will be set up," Sabam said.
"If the two former ministers are found guilty, they should be brought to justice. But if the President is proven to have made an erroneous decision, he should revoke it and restore their reputation," Sabam said.
Both Laksamana and Yusuf Kalla have denied the graft charges and demanded the President clarify his statements.
Sabam said the interpellation move was supported by the National Mandate Party and United Development Party factions, as well as by PDI Perjuangan and Golkar.
He denied speculation that move was aimed at toppling the President and his government.
"The House wants to seek clarification so that the people know who is wrong and who is right," he said.
Imam Mawardi Sanjaya, a legislator of the National Awakening Party (PKB), criticized the proposal, which he said was aimed at initiating a no-confidence move against the government.
"It is just a minor issue that should not be exaggerated," he said.
He said it was unlikely his faction would support the proposal because the appointment and dismissal of ministers was the President's prerogative.
Coalition
Separately, House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said the massive support for the interpellation proposal indicated a coalition between Golkar Party, PDI Perjuangan and the "axis force", a coalition of Muslim-based parties. But he played down the move, saying it was meant to criticize the government.
"The coalition is not aimed at toppling the president," Akbar, who is also Golkar chairman, said.
He said if the President's replies about the ministers' dismissal did not satisfy the House, it would weaken his legitimacy.
Political observer J. Kristiadi said the coalition move was underway and it could be seen in the demand for Abdurrahman's clarification over the ministers' dismissal.
"But the public should keep an eye whether the coalition is forged for the people's interests or for the sake of political parties' interests," Kristiadi, from the Centre of Strategic and International Studies, said.
Asked whether the coalition might be used to oust the President, he said it was possible that it would precede another attempt to replace the President through constitutional methods.
"If the House is not satisfied with the President's explanation, they could ask the People's Consultative Assembly for a special session," he said.
However, he warned the public that replacing the President would cost the country too much, because so far Abdurrahman was still the most acceptable person to lead the country. (rms/jun)