Poor attendance delays bill talks

JAKARTA: Initial discussion on the formation of a special committee to deliberate the bill on direct presidential and vice presidential elections was delayed on Thursday because of poor attendance at the House's steering committee.

The delay is feared to be consuming valuable time allocated for the bill deliberation, which in turn could affect the preparations for the presidential and vice presidential elections in 2004.

House Deputy Speaker Tosari Widjaja said he was unable to continue the meeting because only 29 of the 76-member steering committee showed up.

"This will be brought to a leadership meeting on Tuesday," Tosari said.

Thursday's meeting was supposed to discuss 11 topics which included the special committee formation, a proposal to form a disciplinary committee, and selection of candidates for Bank Indonesia governor. -- JP