Interpellation Right to be Exercised by 157 Legislators

Jakarta (Antara) - As many as 157 members of the House of Representatives (DPR) have agreed to exercise their interpellation rights to seek an explanation from the government over its recent decision to raise subsidized fuel prices. "Until 3.10 p.m., we have received a report that 157 DPR members have signed an agreement to exercise their interpellation rights. They hail from the Golkar Party, Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), National Mandate Party (PAN), and Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) factions," Golkar Party faction member Misbakhun stated here on Tuesday. He said 53 of the DPR members from the Red-White coalition, who had given their signatures, were from Golkar, while 31 belonged to the PKS, 50 were from Gerindra, and 23 from PAN. The Democrat Party faction is yet to arrive at a decision with regard to the move. The Red-White coalition would continue to communicate with the faction members to invite them to join the move, Misbakhun remarked. "The right belongs to the DPR members regardless of their coalition. Anyone may propose exercising it," he noted in the company of Ecky Awal Muharam from the PKS faction. Misbakhun said he planned to submit the names of the signatories to the DPR leadership on Wednesday, and the DPR consultative body (Bamus) will later decide the date of the plenary session to discuss the issue. "The process may be fast or slow depending on the Bamus' decision," he noted. He stated that the Red-White coalition was keen on exercising its right to inquire as it is an individual right while "we want to inquire collectively." Ecky Awal Muharam remarked that the decision to hike the prices of subsidized fuels was not justified as the world crude price has dropped. (*)