PBB clarifies position of party members in the House

PBB clarifies position of party members in the House

JAKARTA (JP): Chairman of the Crescent Star Party (PBB)
faction at the House of Representatives Ahmad Sumargono on
Thursday dismissed earlier press reports that the party had
recalled two senior legislators from the House membership.

Speaking to journalists, Sumargono said the party had only
transferred legislators Hartono Mardjono and Abdul Qodir Djaelani
to other factions in the House.

"I did send a notification to the House, but it was to move
Hartono from Commission II to Commission III and Djaelani from
Commission I to Commission VI. So, they remain House
legislators," he said.

He said that the reason for transferring the two legislators
was simply for efficiency because the House does not recognize
the recalling mechanism anymore.

"The two were dismissed from our party's membership and the
only possibility for them to stay as legislators is to become
non-faction members. But, we're not going to do that, we are
going to settle the problem internally," he said.

It was reported on Wednesday that the two legislators were no
longer registered as House members and House Speaker Akbar
Tandjung had signed approvals over the matter on Feb. 8.

The party's executive board dismissed Hartono and Djaelani
from the party membership on Feb. 1 following their claim that
they are respectively the legitimate chairman and secretary-
general of the party.

While insisting that the party's legitimate chairman is Yusril
Ihza Mahendra, as registered in the Supreme Court, Sumargono said
the maneuver of the two former members was intolerable.

However, he said that the party was still trying to maintain a
good relationship with the two.

"So, pak Akbar signed only the letter which endorsed the
transfer of the legislators to other commissions, but not the one
that removes the two from House membership," he said.

Separately, Akbar said the House will not interfere in the
faction's internal problems and that he had only approved the
transfer of the two legislators, but not their dismissal.

"Law No. 4/1999 on ranks and position of the legislative
members does not recognize the recalling system. But, if the
faction wants to make some changes, then we have to leave it to
them," Akbar said later on Thursday.

He said that although the two legislators had been dismissed
from the party, the party faction had the capacity to decide what
to do on the matter.

"I think the dismissal is not a final decision. The House
could only respond if the two legislators resign from their
position," he added. (dja)