Susilo ally wins MPR chair by a hairbreadth

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The coalition supporting Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono won the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) leadership election on Wednesday, allaying fears of hostile maneuvers by political opponents against Susilo's presidency.

Hidayat Nurwahid, nominated by pro-Susilo People's Coalition, snatched the Assembly speakership in a hair-splitting race against Sutjipto of the Nationhood Coalition. Hidayat, who is chairman of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), grabbed 326 votes, compared to Sutjipto's 324 votes.

For the Nationhood Coalition, the defeat was truly a bitter one as it was partly due to the absence of two lawmakers from Sutjipto's own Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) -- Tumbu Saraswati and Philip S. Widjaja.

Tumbu has reportedly been hospitalized, while Philip skipped the plenary meeting with the knowledge of one party leader.

Elected as Hidayat's deputies were A.M. Fatwa of the National Mandate Party (PAN) and two members of the 128-strong Regional Representatives Council (DPD) -- Moeryati Soedibyo and M. Aksa Mahmud.

Aside from PKS and PAN, the People's Coalition also consists of the Democratic Party (PD), the National Awakening Party (PKB), and the United Development Party (PPP).

The Nationhood Coalition, on the other hand, consists of PDI- P, Golkar and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS). During the meeting, two small parties -- the Reform Star Party (PBR) and the Concern for the Nation Functional Party (PKPB) -- also sided with the coalition, which fielded Sutjipto as Assembly speaker and Theo L. Sambuaga of Golkar and DPD members Sarwono Kusumaatmadja and Aida Ismeth as deputies.

Abstention and invalid votes were 13 and 10 respectively.

The People's Coalition victory came as a surprise, as the grouping lost the House of Representatives (DPR) leadership election last Saturday morning.

The People's Coalition, which fielded PPP politician Endin A.J. Soefihara, got only 257 votes, while the Nationhood Coalition, which nominated Agung Laksono, bagged 280 votes.

Agung's victory had raised concerns that the Nationhood Coalition was out to undermine, or even to eventually impeach, Susilo, a retired Army general who will be the country's first directly elected president since independence in 1945.

Any impeachment petition, however, would have to pass through the Assembly before being submitted to the Constitutional Court, which has the final say.

With the election of pro-Susilo lawmakers as leaders, any move to impeach Susilo is likely to be thwarted by the Assembly, the country's highest legislative body.

Legislator Ryaas Rasyid of the National Democratic Unity Party (PPDK) said the election of Hidayat could help counter political moves aimed at attacking Susilo.

"The position of Susilo and running mate Jusuf Kalla is becoming more secure. Political maneuvers aimed at attacking them can be countered," Ryaas said.

Following amendments to the 1945 Constitution, the Assembly's authority has been reduced to just three duties -- amending the Constitution, conducting any impeachment procedures against the president and inaugurating elected presidents and vice presidents.

The Assembly will inaugurate Susilo and Kalla in a plenary session scheduled for Oct. 20.

In his first speech after being inaugurated Assembly speaker, Hidayat appealed to all Assembly leaders to work hand-in-hand to boost the Assembly's performance.

"Only with intensive cooperation will we be able to develop the legislative body," Hidayat said.