Fuel price inquiry runs through recess

Andra Wisnu ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 07/19/2008 11:02 AM  |  National

With the House of Representatives entering its recess period on Friday, lawmakers on a special inquiry committee into the government's fuel price hike policy decided to continue working on the inquiry.

Committee chairman Zulkifli Hasan of the National Mandate Party (PAN), said at a press conference the committee's members had agreed on three key issues.

First, the hearings would be open to the public. Second, the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) would be involved in auditing major oil companies. And finally, each committee member from the 10 political parties represented would be allowed to summon state officials connected to the fuel price hike policy, experts and oil company executives to prepare an agenda for the hearing itself.

"We have agreed to give each faction a two-week deadline to come up with an agenda to be submitted to the committee," Zulkifli said.

He added committee members were "excited" to commence with the hearing and have begun planning their lists of questions and witnesses.

"I'm actually worried about the level of excitement shown by my colleagues. They've submitted such a long list, it's possible the hearing may last longer than we planned," he said.

The committee was set up on June 4, following the government's highly unpopular decision to increase fuel prices by an average of 28.7 percent.

Observers have said the inquiry could lead to the impeachment of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

However, legislator Sutan Batoegana of Yudhoyono's Democratic Party dismissed this idea, saying his party was unwavering in its support for the President.

"You can't impeach the President because of his policies. That's not how impeachment works," said Sutan, the committee's deputy chairman and a member of House Commission VII, which oversees energy affairs.

"The government has explained their reasons for raising fuel prices: Our state budget could not cope with the pressure if we didn't do it. The committee must only serve to gain a better understanding about the fuel policy."

Beside the fuel price issue, the House still has to deal with other issues during the recess period, ranging from bribery to sex scandals.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has detained six active lawmakers -- Saleh Djasit of the Golkar Party, Al Amin Nasution of the United Development Party, Hamka Yamdhu of the Golkar Party, Sarjan Taher of the Democratic Party, Bulyan Royan of the Reform Star Party and Yusuf Emir Faishal of the National Awakening Party -- for alleged bribery.

The House disciplinary council is also investigating an "erotic" picture distributed over the Internet, involving Max Moein of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

During Friday's plenary session, House Speaker Agung Laksono said lawmakers had only passed 120 bills into law, less than half of the 284 draft laws they were supposed to deliberate, since taking up office in October 2004.

The passed laws include regional autonomy laws, but not a proposed presidential election bill, which Agung said was more crucial ahead of the 2009 elections.

Agung called on lawmakers to be more focused in their legislative duties.

"We have to settle between 50 and 60 percent of the draft laws," he said.

Copyright © 2008 The Jakarta Post - PT Bina Media Tenggara. All Rights Reserved.