Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Legislators were expected to question President Megawati
Soekarnoputri about what, if any, concrete steps she would take to
resolve the prolonged conflicts that have claimed tens of
thousands of lives in Aceh and Maluku, during their consultation
meeting on Tuesday.
Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction Ali
Masykur Musa said his faction's questions would focus on the
current political and security conditions, especially in Aceh and
Maluku.
The deteriorating situation in the two regions, he said, had
clearly proven that the government was facing difficulties in
handling the conflicts.
"The government's commitment to maintaining security and
order is questionable. This is why we will focus on the security
issue," Ali said, adding that his faction would also question
the government's investigation into the recent bombings in
numerous regions, including Jakarta.
Jakarta is considering martial law to quell the separatist
movement in Aceh while it has set up an independent team to
investigate all law violations during the three-year sectarian
conflict in Maluku.
Asked about the undeliberated presidency bill, Ali said his
faction would also encourage the president to show her commitment
to the bill.
Deputy House speaker Soetardjo Soerjogoeritno said that all
nine factions would be given an equal chance to air their concerns
during the meeting with the president.
Soetardjo refused to specify the agenda of the meeting, but
simply said that the legislators would discuss the current
economic and political situation.
Golkar's Yahya Zaini said that his faction would likely focus
more on the government's effort in economic recovery. He, however,
emphasized that security conditions would be another subject.
The consultation meeting that was introduced by President B.J.
Habibie in 1998 as a forum to create cohesiveness between the
government and the legislators on the latest issues.
It will take place two weeks ahead of the Annual Session of the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) where the President will
deliver a progress report.
President Megawati, accompanied by her Cabinet ministers are
expected to arrive at the House of Representatives (DPR) at 10
a.m.
Ali said that during the meeting his faction would also offer
its criticisms of the government for trying to stick with the
International Monetary Fund-imposed structural reform.
The legislators, he said, wanted the government to help the
average people and the small-businessmen rather than the tycoons
and other powerful people who had been embezzling state funds for
decades.
Security was beefed up on Monday around the DPR compound.