House motion hits a snag

JAKARTA: The initiator of a proposed motion to question President Megawati Soekarnoputri over her Rp 30 billion donation for the renovation of military and police housing facilities has reconsidered his move.

Djamal Doa of the United Development Party (PPP) announced his change of mind to the press on Wednesday after a meeting with PPP secretary-general Ali Marwan Hanan, who is also the minister of cooperatives.

"I met Pak Ali Marwan, the PPP secretary-general, this morning. I received an explanation from him (about the donation). So, I quit the group who wanted to file the motion," Djamal said.

The U-turn came just one day after Djamal confidently told the media that he had won the support of eight colleagues and expected to find more signatories in favor of the motion to seek clarification from the President over the source of the donation.

Despite being shocked by Djamal's unexpected change of heart, fellow signatories of the motion pledged to press ahead with their plan.

"We will continue with the motion. I only know that Pak Djamal was dictated to by his party," Seto Harianto of the Love the Nation Democratic Party (PDKB) faction said.

Afni Achmad of the Reform faction said the withdrawal of Djamal had aroused public suspicions. -- JP