President Orders Cabinet Members to not Attend Parliament Meetings

Bogor, W Java (Antara) -- President Joko Widodo confirmed here on Monday that he has ordered his ministers to not attend any meetings with the House of Representatives (DPR) till their disputes are settled. "Of course (we must not attend any meetings) because if we do, we will be blamed for everything. Let us wait till their problems are resolved," he stated on the sidelines of a meeting with provincial governors at the state palace in Bogor, West Java. Jokowi pointed out that his government had assumed office only a month ago. "How can they summon us? We have worked for just a month. What would they summon us for?" the president questioned. He further noted that the ban was only temporary and will be revoked when the issue in the DPR is settled. When asked about the duration for which the order will be effective, he said, "Until their problem is settled, (it will be in effect)." A circular distributed by the cabinet secretary to all cabinet members ordered them to not attend meetings with the DPR as the situation in the legislative body was not conducive. (*)