MPR names ad hoc commission leaders

JAKARTA: The People's Consultative Assembly steering committee named the chairmen of its three ad hoc committees as it opened its 2003/2004 sitting period on Monday.

Jacob Tobing of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction was reinstated as the chairman of ad hoc committee I which will select the 31 members of the Constitutional Commission. Rambe Kamarulzaman of the Golkar faction will chair ad hoc committee II on Assembly decrees, while Ali Hardi Kiaidemak of the United Development Party (PPP) faction will lead the special ad hoc committee which will arrange the agenda of MPR sessions.

During its current sitting period, the steering committee will focus on its preparations for the last Annual Session of this Assembly next year.

The gathering on Monday, presided over by MPR speaker Amien Rais, was marked by a protest from the regional representatives faction which demanded representation in the ad hoc committee leadership.

In his response, Amien explained the composition of members and leaders of the three ad hoc committees had already been decided during a meeting on Friday. -- Antara