New MPR members sworn in today
JAKARTA (JP): Chief Justice Sarwata will today swear in 36 new members of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), including those chosen to replace the seven relatives of former president Soeharto recently purged by Golkar.
In a statement made available yesterday, the secretariat- general of the Assembly said Soeharto's sons Bambang Trihatmodjo and Hutomo Mandala Putra, daughters Siti Hardiyanti Rukmana and Siti Hediati Prabowo, daughter-in-law Halimah Bambang, half- brother Probosutedjo and cousin Sudwikatmono would be replaced.
The decision to replace the seven was taken during a leadership meeting of Golkar presided over by new chairman Akbar Tandjung on Wednesday night. The move is yet another attempt by the ruling political organization to consolidate and cleanse itself from elements of the previous regime.
The Armed Forces (ABRI), United Development Party (PPP) and Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) factions will also get new members for the 1997/2002 term.
The Golkar faction will get 19 new members and the PPP will make 10 new appointments. The PDI and the Armed Forces factions will get four and three new members respectively.
In the Golkar reshuffle, Machete from East Java replaces Probosutedjo; Rusydi Zen replaces Halimah; Prof. Machmud Hasyim replaces Hutomo; and Selamat Limbong replaces Bambang.
Choirijah Nurdjahara will replace Siti Hediati; Wisnu Suhardono will replace Hardiyanti; and Firman Subagyo will replace Sudwikatmono.
In the PPP faction, Ahadin Mintaroem will be appointed to replace Soelaiman; Muzaini Ramli will replace Hadijah Mansyur; Sa'di Zen Noor will replace Irgan Chairul Mahfiz; Sahruji Tanjung will replace Darussamin; and Qaimoeddin Thamsy will replace Ramly Nurhapy.
In PDI faction, Untung Soetomo will be sworn in to replace Buttu R. Hutapea, who is also the party's secretary general; Harsoko Soediro will replace Soedariyanto; and F.X. Oerip Soedjoed will replace Yahya Theo, who has been appointed to the Supreme Advisory Council.
In the ABRI faction, Col. Ngatminanto replaces Maj. Gen. Arifin Tarigan; Rear Admiral Soetanto replaces Rear Admiral Gofar Soewarno; and Maj. Gen. Deddy Sudarmadji takes over from Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid, who was appointed Minister of Home Affairs in May.
Meanwhile, member of ABRI faction Affifudin Thaib said he has not been informed of his appointment in the board of executives of the Golkar for the 1998-2003 period.
"Up to now ... I have not yet been officially informed by the board," he was quoted by Antara as saying yesterday.
In its Wednesday meeting, Golkar also decided to appoint Thaib, rights campaigner Marzuki Darusman and Jojo Kusumo as deputy chairmen.
Thaib said he had no idea why Golkar chose him, as he was still an active member of the Armed Forces.
"This is all up to ABRI. I became a member of the House because I was instructed to. So if I am selected as a member of Golkar's executive board, it would be up to ABRI (whether I should accept the position)," he said. (rms)