Legislator's petition signing vexes his party

JAKARTA (JP): The conservative United Development Party (PPP) is unhappy with one of its senior politicians, Matori Abdul Djalil, who recently signed a petition critical of the government.

Matori's action prompted chief of the PPP faction in the House of Representatives, Hamzah Haz, to ban PPP legislators from maneuvering outside the "constitutional institution".

But Matori played down his faction's warning. He said the faction had acted undemocratically because it did not bother to summon him or hear his argument.

"The warning only strengthens my belief that our concern with suppressed democracy and the excessive fear of expressing ideas do exist," Matori told The Jakarta Post.

Hamzah wrote House Speaker Wahono last week saying that the PPP faction was not responsible for what Matori had done because it was not even aware of Matori's actions.

"The faction has reminded all PPP House members not to make statements outside of the constitutional mechanism," Hamzah said in the letter, copies of which were made available to reporters.

Hamzah also sent the copies of the letter to Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M. and Commander of the Armed Forces Gen. Feisal Tanjung, but not to Matori.

Earlier this year, PPP won notoriety after it fired legislator Sri Bintang Pamungkas for his "overly" critical views of the government.

Matori, known as an arch rival of PPP chief Ismail Hasan Metareum, was one of the "July 1 Statement" signatories who expressed concern with increasing number of cases of political violence and the repression of democracy.

Other prominent signatories included Abdurrahman Wahid, chief of the 30-million-member Nahdlatul Ulama; Lt. Gen. (ret.) Bambang Triantoro, former chief of the Armed Forces sociopolitical affairs; and Lt. Gen. (ret.) M. Kharis Suhud, a former House speaker.

The petitioners called on the government and the public to better uphold the supremacy of law and go back to the national ideals laid down by Indonesia's founding fathers.

Hamzah issued a circular advising the PPP's House members to stay away from political activities involving the July 1 Statement petitioners.

Hamzah said that Matori does not need to retract his signature but added that he should not repeat the "mistake" in the future.

Separately, Matori said he was not aware of Hamzah's circular but said the warning would not deter him from expressing his opinions on the problems facing Indonesia.

"I think he (Hamzah) wrote the letter out of fear that what I had done would hurt the party's credibility. So what is a party dependent on the government supposed to do to improve the nation?" he asked.

He pointed out that Hamzah should know that being a House member does not mean that one loses the right to express one's ideas.

He warned that further limitations on the ability of citizens to express their opinions will only make it more difficult for Indonesians in their pursuit of democratic ideals. (pan)