Usman Hasan needed by foreign ministry, Golkar chief says
Usman Hasan needed by foreign ministry, Golkar chief says
JAKARTA (JP): Golkar Chairman Harmoko said yesterday that the foreign ministry has asked him to reassign legislator Usman Hasan to an ambassadorial position.
Harmoko denied speculation that the initiative to withdraw Usman was an attempt by the dominant political grouping to remove another one of its outspoken members from the House of Representatives.
"The reassignment means that the cadre (Usman) has been promoted," he told The Jakarta Post.
He announced the plan to reassign Usman on Thursday but would not say where the initiative came from or to which country Usman would be posted.
Harmoko, who is also Minister of Information, made the comment on the heels of his party's recent decision to fire outspoken legislator Bambang Warih Koesoemo. Bambang has been accused of offending various cabinet ministers and of routinely overstepping party lines.
Harmoko pointed out that Golkar has the authority to withdraw its members from the House for disciplinary reasons or to fill ambassadorial job openings.
He said he was personally proud to learn that a Golkar member had been entrusted by the government to become an envoy. "That means that the cadre is considered capable for the job," he said.
Addressing proposals that the number of the Armed Forces (ABRI) representatives in the House be reduced, Harmoko said he welcomed the plan since ABRI leaders have no objection to reviewing the issue.
"If ABRI wants to reduce the number of their personnel in the House, it would be okay for Golkar," he said.
ABRI's representation and role in the House have come under the spotlight since President Soeharto announced his recent plan to study the electoral system.
ABRI, which does not take part in the general election system, retains 100 of the 500 seats in the House. The remaining 400 are contested by the three political organization Golkar, PPP (United Development Party) and PDI (the Indonesian Democratic Party).
Spokesman for ABRI Maj. Gen. Syarwan Hamid has said that ABRI needs between 70 and 75 seats to maintain the effectiveness of its representation in the House.
Harmoko said Golkar supports research of the electoral system. (29)