Sulawesi governors back special session

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)