Abdul Khalik, Jakarta – Over 100 members of the House of Representatives have signed a petition to summon President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to the house for an interpellation over Indonesia's decision to support a United Nations resolution to impose more sanctions on Iran.
One of the initiators of the petition, Yudi Krisnandi of the Golkar Party, said that more lawmakers from various factions in the House of Representatives were expected to sign the petition later in the day.
"We only need 13 lawmakers to sign a petition to be able to start the interpellation process. We currently have 101 signatures. This is the highest number of signatures for such a move during our term," he told The Jakarta Post.
Many lawmakers have expressed disappointment and anger over Indonesia's decision Saturday to support UN resolution 1747, imposing moderately tougher sanctions on Iran, banning arms exports and freezing the assets of 28 people and organizations involved in Iran's nuclear program.
They accused the government of having betrayed the Muslim community here by following US policy on Iran without listening to domestic aspirations.
"Many of us are really disappointed and surprised with the government's decision. They have to explain why, as a Muslim majority country, we haven't supported Iran," Tristanti Mitayani of the National Mandate Party (PAN) said.
Head of the House's Commission I on security and international affairs Theo L. Sambuaga of the Golkar Party said that it was understandable that lawmakers had asked for an explanation as they considered the government's decision to support the UN resolution to not reflect the aspirations of the people.
Yudi said the petition will mean the issue will be brought to a House of Representatives plenary meeting. "If agreed by the majority of members, the house will summon the President. We hope we this can be done in May because we have a break in April," he said.
Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda said Tuesday he was prepared to give an explanation to lawmakers. "The interpellation means that more channels of discussion on the subject will be needed to make people understand our decision. The more discussion the better," he said.
Meanwhile, Iranian Ambassador to Indonesia Behrooz Kamalvandi said that although his government was disappointed with Indonesia's decision, bilateral ties between the two countries would not be affected because of the many benefits they can gain together.
"If our enemy throws a stone at us, we may be hurt but it will only last for a few days. But if our friend does, both our body and our heart will be hurt and this will take a long time to heal," he told reporters at a press conference after meeting with Muhammadiyah chairman Din Syamsuddin in Jakarta.
During the meeting, Din reiterated Muhammadiyah's disappointment concerning Indonesia's decision to support the UN resolution.
Besides Din, representatives from several Islamic organizations including the Association of Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals (ICMI), the Indonesian Islamic Students organization (PII) and the National Council of Islamic Students Alumni (KAHMI) have also expressed their disappointment.
"We have submitted letters of protest to the government. We support Iran's struggle against the US and other major countries," KAHMI chairman A. Asri Harahap said.
Said of PII said that for young Muslims, Iran had become a symbol of resistance against major powers.