Susilo summoned over VP circular

Susilo summoned over VP circular

JAKARTA: Nineteen legislators from eight factions have
submitted a petition to the House of Representatives Speaker to
summon President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over a controversial
circular signed by the former vice presidential office's
secretary.

The legislators urged Susilo to appear before the House to
clarify the issue that forced Priyono Tjiptoherijanto to resign
as the secretary.

"We will question the President to find out if the issuance of
the circular was part of his policy," Idealisman Dachi of the
Democratic Pioneer Star (BPD) faction said in a meeting with
Speaker Agung Laksono here on Friday.

The circular, sent to ministers and the heads of government
agencies, strongly criticized House hearings, during which it
said lawmakers often asked questions aimed at cornering the
government.

Dachi said the legislators would also ask the President if he
had ordered Vice President Jusuf Kalla to assess the performance
of the House.

Responding to the motion, Agung said he would bring the
petition up in the House for a further discussion. Legislators
from Susilo's Democratic Party and Golkar led by Kalla opposed
the petition. -- JP