Jakarta – The Regional Representatives Council (DPD) saw yet another plenary session spiral into chaos on Tuesday, as internal power struggles continue to intensify.
Objections were raised by a camp that had rejected businessman-turned-politician Oesman Sapta Odan's role in chairing Tuesday's meeting – which would have been Oesman's first time as DPD speaker.
"There is clearly a rift within the leadership of this institution. We need to clarify the matter to prevent further problems ahead," said Riau councilor Intsiawati Ayus as reported by kompas.com.
Last week's inauguration of the Hanura Party chairman as DPD speaker drew controversy from constitutional experts who considered the move illegal as it contravened a Supreme Court verdict.
The court had ruled to annul DPD Regulation No. 1/2016, which halved the tenure of DPP speakers and deputy speaker to two-and-a-half years. The ruling was intended to prevent the council from holding a speakership election allowing former speakers and deputy speakers – namely Mohammad Saleh, Farouk Muhammad and GKR Hemas – to continue their tenure to 2019.
But a number of councilors, mostly those from the Hanura Party, pushed for the election, claiming the court's decision was not valid due to several editorial errors.
Tuesday's session was postponed twice as the number of attendees did not meet the quorum. The agenda was supposed to include an opening speech by the DPD speaker to open the sitting period and a portfolio report of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) examination result. (foy)