Legislators still irked by VP circular

JAKARTA: Legislators from seven factions in the House of Representatives have demanded clarification from the government over a vice presidential office circular that criticized the national legislature.

Hasto Kristiyanto of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) said on Wednesday that he and other legislators would submit the motion to House speaker Agung Laksono on Thursday.

"Members of the Democratic Party and Golkar are not supporting the move. We are hoping for the support of Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) legislators," he told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The circular, which was distributed to Cabinet ministers and the heads of state institutions, was leaked to the legislators. It stated that House meetings often discredited the government.

VP office secretary Prijono Tjiptoherijanto, who signed the circular, resigned. Vice President Jusuf Kalla denied responsibility for the circular's contents. -- JP