Interpellation rights

An interpellation proposal submitted by members of the House of Representatives (DPR) over President Megawati's policy to attend East Timor's independence inaugural ceremony on May 20 is at present a hot issue in the House.

On the basis of the House's internal rules, tabling a proposal for interpellation is right and proper and is the House's constitutional right to exercise its authority.

However, it turns sour if it constitutes the beginning of a new form of clash among the country's political elite. Aren't the Indonesian people fed up with conflict among the political elite at a time when this nation has yet to lift itself from the multi- dimensional crises?

If the interpellation right is really aimed at improving public welfare please go ahead. However, if it becomes the start of a nationwide political dispute that will reach a climax in 2004, the year when a general election is slated to be held, this is highly worrying as it will only prolong the nation's ongoing crises.

-- Suara Karya, Jakarta