Sulawesi governors back special session

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Governors of all provinces in Sulawesi have voiced their support for the special session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) in August as a constitutional solution to the nation's protracted crisis.

The statement was issued on Tuesday evening following a closed-door meeting of the All-Sulawesi Governors' Regional Forum (FRGS).

Spokesman for FRGS Zaenal Bari Palaguna, who is South Sulawesi governor, told a media conference that people in the island would accept whatever the outcome of the MPR special session.

The governors regularly meet to discuss political, economic, social and other major issues prevailing in Sulawesi.

Palaguna maintained that the dispute among the political elite should be constitutionally settled through a compromise during the special session.

"Sulawesi turns down any attempt to make it a political vehicle for the pursuit of ministerial positions, as this will create envy among eastern Indonesia's 11 provinces," he said.

Governors in the region, according to him, have resolved not to get mired in political conflict that can affect national unity and instead focus on economic development.

On the alleged maneuvering of the Iramasuka caucus, comprising Irian Jaya, Maluku, Sulawesi and Kalimantan, to lobby for ministerial posts, Palaguna said he knew nothing about the group nor its activities.

The caucus was reportedly seeking the favor of Taufik Kiemas, husband of Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and a legislator of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

Junior Minister of the Acceleration of Development in Eastern Indonesia Manuel Kaisiepo, who attended the FRGS meeting, said the caucus was acting for the benefit of its own political interests and not representing the people of eastern Indonesia.

He called on the political elite in the eastern part of the country, particularly Sulawesi, not to be influenced by the political conflict in Jakarta. (27)