Jakarta – Chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Harmoko swore in 27 new members yesterday, 24 of whom represent the dominant political group Golkar. Some of the new appointments are politicians and public figures known to be close to President B.J. Habibie, including his aide, political scientist Dewi Fortuna Anwar, and cabinet ministers Theo L. Sambuaga, Adi Sasono and Agung Laksono.
Harmoko, who is also chairman of Golkar's executive board, insisted the appointments were part of periodic changes in the assembly, Antara reported. Those who were replaced were mostly the wives and offspring of former and serving government officials. They voluntarily resigned following nationwide calls for an end to corruption, collusion and nepotism in the government.
The children of former president Soeharto, who are Golkar representatives in the Assembly, however, have kept their MPR seats despite demands for their resignation. Golkar leaders have called on their representatives in the Assembly and the House of Representatives who owe their seats to family ties to resign rather than await expulsion. Soeharto's youngest son, Hutomo Mandala Putra has said he would only resign if formally asked by his Golkar constituency in South Sumatra.
The 1,000-strong MPR is due to convene for an extraordinary meeting in November or December, making its composition crucial in determining the outcome. Harmoko told reporters yesterday that there should be no more changes in the Assembly's membership after this month because a working committee would start preparations for the meeting.
The 27 new MPR members sworn in yesterday are: Tuty Sinsuw Gundong and Dewi Fortuna Anwar, representing the functional group, Theo L. Sambuaga, Lahmuddin Fattah, Radi A. Gany, Soekartono Hadiwarsito, Ridwan Hisyam, Widarto, Mediteransjah, Soendoro, Adi Sasono, Endang Harsono, Nadjib Sungkar, Moh. Aly Yahya, Mashud Wisnusaputra, Yuddy Chrisnandi, Darwis Nasution, Ninik Tommy Joesoef. HR Agung Laksono, Suprapto Nitihardjo, Johannes A Sinungan, Abdul Bari A, A. Hafiz Zamawi, Nafsiah Umar Salim HR Usman Draman, Barlan Lubis, representing Golkar; and Khalid Abdullah Karamah, who represents the United Development Party faction.
Noted ulema Ali Yafie was supposed to be installed yesterday but he reportedly turned down the offer, while Golkar Secretary-General Ary Mardjono failed to turn up, apparently because he was busy with preparations for today's Golkar congress.
Separately, Ary denied yesterday he had signed a letter to recall 104 Golkar members in the House, including Harmoko. Copies of the letter, with Ary's signature, have been circulating among Golkar leaders here to attend the congress. "That letter is a forgery designed to discredit my good name," Ary told reporters at Golkar's headquarters, Antara reported. He said the Golkar executive board had not discussed any plans to recall its representatives in the House.
The list of the 104 names includes Harmoko, Abdul Gafur, Burhan D Magenda Amir Santoso, Agung Laksono, Lukman Harun, Rully Chairul Azwar, Rhoma Irama and Marwah Daud.