PDI-P Will Not Compromise In Relation to The President’s Accountability Report

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The chairman of theIndonesian Democratic Party for Struggle (PDI-P)faction at the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR)Sophan Sophiaan said that his party will notcompromise their position towards PresidentAbdurrahman Wahid’s accountability report during theMPR's special session. “The president must attend thesession and deliver his accountability report inaccordance with the constitution,” Sophan saidfollowing a meeting with the PDI-P central executiveboard at the party’s head office in Jakarta today(26/06).

The president cannot reject every demand that the MPRmakes towards his accountability report. In draftingthe decree, the MPR Ad Hoc I committee states that thePDI-P faction can either reject or accept thepresident’s accountability report during the specialsession. The PDI-P would not be able to accept thereport with particular conditions attached.

Sophan also said that the Ad Hoc I committee willdecide upon whether to refuse or to accept thepresident’s accountability report in the session. TheAd Hoc II committee has drafted a decree for thepossible appointment of the vice president’s to thepresidency if deemed necessary. Meanwhile, the specialAd Hoc committee discussed the agendas, financing andschedules of the imminent special session.

PDI-P chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri, alsoIndonesia’s vice president, instructed the PDI-Pfaction during the meeting. However, Sophian declinedto reveal these instructions to the press. He merelysaid that his faction must carry out theirinstructions prior to the special session. The numberof PDI-P faction members will be increased to 38. “Wehave to do this as the special session is veryimportant for the life of the nation,” Sophan offeredas an explanation.

The meeting was held from 10.00 to 12.00 am and led byMegawati herself.