Problem PDI-P legislators replaced
Problem PDI-P legislators replaced
JAKARTA (JP): The General Elections Commission (KPU) revoked
on Monday the membership of six Indonesian Democratic Party of
Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) legislators and appointed six
replacements from the same party.
KPU chief spokesman Djoeharmansyah told The Jakarta Post on
Tuesday that the memberships were revoked because their
appointments violated a commission regulation and had sparked
protests from the regencies which the legislators represented.
"The election commission has sent to President B.J. Habibie a
letter asking the president to review his decision on their
appointment and to issue a new presidential decision on the
appointment of their successors," Djoeharmansyah said, adding
that he hoped a decision would be made before Wednesday's
presidential election.
The six House members whose membership was revoked were:
Edrwin Pardede from Simalungun, North Sumatra; Matheos Formes
from Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara; Jacob Nuwa Wea from Manggarai,
East Nusa Tenggara; Engelina Pattiasina from Minahasa, North
Sulawesi; Zulkifar Thaib Ali from East Aceh, Aceh and Pataniari
Siahaan from Pekanbaru in Riau.
The six replacements selected by the commission were Kurpan
Sinaga, Stanislaus Say, Cyprianus Aoer, Dicky Adolf Pua, Zulkifli
Kidam and Doli Syarief Pulungan.
Djoeharmansyah said the problem was that the initial six
members did not win seats in their respective regencies, but were
appointed by the party's central board.
"The second six have a right to sit in the legislature because
they won in their regencies," he said.
Jacob Nuwa Wea however said that PDI Perjuangan had
satisfactorily explained the matter to the KPU.
"The PDI Perjuangan leadership has sent a letter to the
election commission to inform it of its policy concerning the six
legislators. And I think the problem is over," he said.
Jacob said he and his five colleagues were entitled to seats
because they were appointed from leftover votes won by the party
in the election. (rms)