PDI Perjuangan stops challenge to Gus Dur
JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives' bid to issue an opinion of discontent with President Abdurrahman Wahid suffered a major blow on Tuesday when the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction dropped its support.
The surprise move was announced by PDI Perjuangan legislator Panda Nababan during a plenary session to consider two proposals regarding the House's response to the President's reply to the interpellation motion.
"PDI Perjuangan faction considered the proceeding complete when the President presented his reply to the interpellation motion. Many things were accomplished during the People's Consultative Assembly Annual Session to control the government," Panda told the session which was presided over by House deputy speaker A.M. Fatwa.
The withdrawal of PDI Perjuangan, which holds 153 seats in the House, will virtually kill the first proposal demanding that the House issue a statement of dissatisfaction with the President's dismissal of state minister for investment and state enterprises development Laksamana Sukardi and minister of industry and trade Yusuf Kalla in April.
Some 235 legislators, including those from PDI Perjuangan, had supported the proposal originally.
The other proposal, signed by 25 legislators, mostly representatives of Abdurrahman's National Awakening Party (PKB), asked the House to accept Abdurrahman's explanation.
With PDI Perjuangan reversing its earlier stance, Panda questioned the first proposal's validity.
"From now on the sponsors of the proposal should no longer claim to have won support from 252 legislators," he said.
Another PDI Perjuangan legislator Suratal asked the House to forgive the President since Abdurrahman apologized during his reply to interpellation.
"Although Gus Dur did not mention his mistakes in detail, he apologized. We should not complicate the matter," Suratal said, referring to Abdurrahman by his nickname.
He suggested that in the future the House initiate interpellation motions on more substantive matters, such as national disintegration or the economic crisis.
Fatwa said the fate of the two proposals would be decided by the House's consultative body (Bamus).
"Since the proposals already have been submitted, let Bamus decide," Fatwa who is also deputy chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said.
Earlier in the session, Hafiz Nawawi, the spokesman for the group supporting the first proposal, demanded the House declare its discontent with Abdurrahman's reply.
"The President's reply did not touch the substance of the House's interpellation motion," Hafiz from Golkar read the proposal which was signed in July.
Spokesman for the opposition legislators Andi Najmi Fuadi said a response to the dismissal of Laksamana and Kalla was no longer relevant following the Cabinet reshuffle.
Scandals
Tuesday's plenary session also agreed on the composition of the House's special committee to investigate the Rp 35 billion scandal involving the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) and US$2 million given to Abdurrahman by the Sultan of Brunei to assist with problems in Aceh.
The team consists of 50 legislators, 15 from PDI Perjuangan, 12 from Golkar, six from the United Development Party (PPP), five from PKB and four from the Reform Faction.
Several outspoken legislators will sit on the committee, including Ade Komaruddin from Golkar, Suryadharma Ali from PPP and Alvin Lie from Reform Faction. PDI Perjuangan has yet to decide its representatives.
The establishment of the committee followed the House's plenary session last week which decided to investigate the scandals that allegedly implicate Abdurrahman. (jun)