Interpellation plan gains supports from 277 legislators

JAKARTA (JP): Some 277 legislators from the 500-member House of Representatives have signed their names to a proposal to interpellate President Abdurrahman Wahid over the recent firing of two economic ministers.

The petition was handed over by Golkar Party legislator Ade Khomaruddin to House Speaker Akbar Tandjung here on Friday.

Akbar said he would bring the letter to the House plenary session on Monday.

"If the plenary session endorses the interpellation plan, it will be deliberated further by the House's inter-faction board (Bamus) on Wednesday and then the question will be sent to the President," he said.

The interpellation move was proposed following dissatisfaction following the president's decision to fire Minister of Industry and Trade Yusuf Kalla and State Minister for Investment and Empowerment of State Enterprises Laksamana Sukardi.

Several legislators are still questioning the move despite the House telling faction leaders that the two were involved in corrupt, collusive and nepotistic practices.

Legislators who gave their signature to the interpellation plan were mostly from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), Golkar Party, National Mandate Party (PAN) and United Development Party (PPP).

Not surprisingly the party which Abdurrahman helped establish, the National Awakening Party (PKB), has objected to the plan arguing that the President had fully revealed his reasons for firing the two ministers in a closed-door consultative meeting with the House.

Akbar warned that the House would fully investigate the matter if the House is not satisfied with the President's answers over the matter during the interpellation hearing.

"The great number of signatures shows strong political support for the House to probe the case," he said.

House Deputy Speaker A.M. Fatwa said the House could set up a special committee to investigate the case if the President does not give an honest answer for the dismissals.

"Possible negative impact from the case could be that the President will lose the people's confidence if he does not give a truthful answer," he said.

He further warned that the present move to turn the People's Consultative Assembly's General Session in August into a Special Session could become a reality if the President does not make changes to the way he is running his government.

"Many factors, including the social conflicts in several provinces, the stagnant economic development, the interpellation plan and the President's controversial statements, could lead the MPR to propose a special session," he said.

Amien Aryoso, a member of the PDI Perjuangan faction, said that the House's move was aimed not at toppling the government but at seeking resolution.

"With the interpellation plan, PDI Perjuangan has no intention of bringing down the legitimate government, we only want the President to be extra-cautious in making a decision," he said.

He said PDI Perjuangan legislators' support for the interpellation move would not effect Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's image because she was not involved in the decision-making process. (rms)