Legislators move to summon Mega

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Legislators from different factions are attempting to forcibly summon President Megawati Soekarnoputri to the House to explain the source of her Rp 30 billion grant to the military and the police.

Djamal Doa of the United Development Party (PPP) faction said that he and fellow legislators were collecting signatures in support for the plan.

"We plan to submit our proposal to the House leaders within the next two days," Djamal told the press here on Tuesday.

The motion, known as interpellation, must be supported by 10 signatories from at least two different factions and needs a majority support from the House.

The House in 2000 approved a motion by a group of legislators to seek clarification from former president Abdurrahman Wahid over his decision to dismiss Golkar's Jusuf Kalla and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) Laksamana Sukardi from the Cabinet.

Djamal claimed that he had so far won the backing of seven legislators from different factions. They are Afni Achmad and Ambia B. Boestam of Reform faction, Andi Najmi Fuadi and Imang Mansur of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Seto Harianto of the Love the Nation Democratic Party (PDKB), and Hasanuddin Mochdar and Azwir Dainy Tara of Golkar.

Separately, Ambia said the move was merely aimed to clarify from where the President raised the funds, and whether the donors of the money had been informed.

"We are wondering if the donors want compensation from the President. For this purpose, we want clarification from her," Boestam added.

Megawati is using the money to help the Indonesian Military (TNI) and National Police renovate houses of lower ranking officers. The fund was handed over on Feb. 25 to TNI commander Adm. Widodo A.S. during a visit to several housing complexes for soldiers.

However, the President has declined to explain where the money came from.

In response to the move, Aberson Marle Sihaloho of PDI Perjuangan said the legislators clearly did not understand the workings of the budget.

"The motion is irrelevant, because the fund given to the security forces is already included in the state budget," said Aberson, a member of the House Commission IX on budget affairs.

Aberson, a senior politician of PDI Perjuangan, said the fund was a portion of the state budget allocated for the security forces.

"The President has the right to disburse the money if urgently needed," he said.