Jokowi Asked to Take Initiative to End Parliamentary Conflict

Jakarta (Antara) - A politician from the National Democrat (Nasdem) Party Despen Ompusunggu asked for an initiative from President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) to take political steps to end week long conflict between two opposing coalitions in the House of Representatives. The factions of the Great Indonesia Coalition (KIH) that supports the government and the Red and White Coalition (KMP) that group political parties supporting former presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto in the last presidential election split over the system used to elect leaders of the parliamentary commissions. KMP, that holds the majority votes in the parliament used a voting system that all the posts of leadership were won by the KMP. KIH, which demanded traditional system of proportional distribution of leadership posts, refused to recognize the result of the election and formed a rival parliament. Despen warned that the government could not run well unless the conflict is put to an end. The rivalry could lead to constitutional confrontation that is potential to block the state administration, he said. (*)