PDI-P defends Taufik's role as politician

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) defended on Tuesday the role of Taufik Kiemas, the husband of President Megawati Soekarnoputri, against a call for him to resign from the House of Representatives to avoid any conflict of interest.

Speaking to journalists after the party's weekly meeting on Tuesday, secretary general Soetjipto said that Taufik had so far played a proper role as a politician and the President's husband and had never mixed the party's interests with the running of government.

Taufik is effective at criticizing the President as they are husband and wife, Soetjipto said.

"But we understand that from a political point of view we have to pay attention to public criticism and advice," he said.

On Monday, noted economist Sjahrir urged Taufik to resign from his post as a legislator, saying that it would have a negative political effect for the House if the President's husband was part of an institution that conducts checks and balances on the president.

Sjahrir said there would be a conflict of interest between the president and the House if the president's husband was one of its members.

"We will pay attention to the suggestion from such a noted person, though we have yet to discuss the possibility of relieving Taufik from the House," Soetjipto said.

"We need further discussions with the party executive board regarding this case," he said, after a meeting led by Megawati Soekarnoputri as the chairwoman of the largest party in the country.

Taufik, a businessman and politician, played a very significant role in the ascension of Megawati to the presidency in July, replacing former president Abdurrahman Wahid.

However, for many of his political opponents, he has always been considered a "dirty" businessman and a person who meddles with state affairs.

Megawati, after being appointed president, ordered all of her close relatives to stay out of business and not be involved in corruption, collusion and nepotism. She even asked Taufik not to interfere in state affairs.

Separately, a PDI Perjuangan member and close aide of Taufik, Tjahyo Kumolo, said that, as a politician, Taufik had always played a proper role and it would be unfair to ask for his resignation as he had already given up his position as a businessman.

"He has been a politician for a long time and it only seems natural that he remains a member of the House," he said, as quoted by Antara.