Jakarta – Conflict between the Golkar Party's two opposing factions has intensified as news of the Agung Laksono camp's plan to seize control of the party's faction office at the House of Representatives circulated on Friday.
A number of police officers were stationed at the office on the 12th floor of the House building in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Friday.
"The police are ready to do their job if there is a request from the House's in-house security team," said Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Hendro Pandowo, who was also present at the office.
Agung's camp has been trying to take over the office after his leadership was validated by Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly on Monday.
Lawmakers from his camp quickly followed up the announcement by attempting to seize control of the party's faction from loyalists of Aburizal Bakrie.
While keeping Setya Novanto, a loyalist of Aburizal, as House speaker, Agung is focusing on removing his opponent's loyalists from strategic posts in House commissions and other internal bodies, including faction head Ade Komarudin and faction secretary Bambang Soesatyo.
Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, who has been appointed by Agung to replace Ade, has sent a letter to Ade, asking him to leave his office at the House by Sunday.
Aburizal and his supporters, however, refuse to give in, saying that the camp is waiting for the House to make a decision regarding the leadership of the party's faction. They also planned to file a lawsuit against Yasonna's decree with the Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN).
On Friday, Agung's camp launched a counterattack by filing a report against Bambang with the National Police's crime unit.