Regional representatives push for independent faction
Regional representatives push for independent faction
JAKARTA (JP): The 130 regional representatives from 27
provinces gathered on Friday to express their determination to
set up an independent faction at the People's Consultative
Assembly (MPR) despite its earlier termination by the Assembly.
The proposal to establish the faction will be formally brought
to the annual MPR General Session scheduled for August.
"The Assembly is expected to accept the proposal because it is
an agreement reached by all regional representatives," Jusuf
Kalla, who presided over a meeting of regional representatives,
said on Friday.
Almost all regional representatives expressed deep
disappointment, if not resentment, with the Assembly's recent
decision to phase out their faction and integrate them into
political parties' factions.
They contended that the presence of a regional representative
faction at the Assembly was guaranteed by the 1945 Constitution.
"We are very deeply concerned over the phase-out of the
regional representative faction. It is quite ironic that during
the three week MPR General Session, the 135 regional
representatives did nothing. We came here to represent our own
regions but we have no organization or faction through which we
can channel our aspirations," said Frans, representing Irian
Jaya.
He said it was illogical for political parties, whose main
agenda was to forward their constituents' aspirations, to address
at the same time the particular political interests of the
regions.
"The presence of a regional representative faction is truly
needed to represent the regions' interests at the Assembly," he
said.
The Assembly decided through an overwhelming vote to integrate
regional representatives into political party factions.
Abu Hasan, representing Jambi, said he discussed the matter
with the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
and claimed that the party gave him general support for the idea
of a regional representative faction.
Oesman Sapta, representing West Kalimantan, asserted that the
phase-out of the regional representative faction was engineered
by certain political parties to bolster their numbers for the
presidential election.
"It's a strange phenomenon to observe since most regional
representatives who proposed and supported the phase-out of
regional representative factions just weeks ago now demand the
establishment of a separate faction after the presidential
election," he said without naming who the people were.
"This means regional representatives were exploited to gain
support for political party candidates in the presidential
election. This is a serious violation of the Constitution," he
said.
The 130 regional representatives during the General Session of
the Assembly were integrated into six political party factions
and the interest group faction.
The Golkar Party of Reform faction received more than half
with 62 regional representatives joining the faction.
The PDI Perjuangan faction received 32 regional
representatives, followed by the United Development faction with
the third highest number of 12.
Regional representatives were actually allotted 135 seats in
the Assembly, with five representatives per province. However,
due to the situation in East Timor, regional representatives from
there were left vacant.
Amir Luthfi from Riau said regional representatives should
have their own faction to improve their bargaining position at
the Assembly in fighting for their region's aspirations.
"Amid the disadvantageous situation with the increasing demand
for several provinces' independence, the presence of a regional
representative faction is urgently needed to play its role as a
bridge between regions and the central government," he said.
He further argued that in line with the Constitution, the
Assembly should consist of a lower house and regional
representatives.
"Similar to the U.S. Congress in the American legislative
system which has a senate and a lower house, the Assembly should
comprise a House of Representatives and regional
representatives," he said.
Both Syarwan Hamid and Fahmi Idris representing Riau hailed
the regional representatives' agreement, saying the faction would
play an active role in implementing regional autonomy.
Syarwan, also a former home affairs minister, said the planned
faction would be able to improve its role in promoting regional
autonomy and in making negotiations on the financial balance
between regions and the central government. (rms/05)