Compromise over the distribution of commission chairmen at the House of Representatives looked to further strengthen President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's control on the legislature after his Democratic Party secured the most chairmanship posts, with probable opposition parties getting none.
Out of 11 commission chairmanship posts to fight for on Tuesday, the Democratic Party got three posts, with the remaining going to its coalition partners or probable allies, pushing aside likely opposition parties - Prabowo Subianto's Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) and Wiranto's People's Conscience Party (Hanura).
"We have agreed that the allocation of the commission top leadership posts will be done proportionally," House Speaker Marzuki Alie from the Democratic Party told reporters in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Under the proportional-based allocation, major parties, such as the Democratic Party, the Golkar Party, and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), will have the upper hand, because they will automatically be given the most posts. They will also have preference in choosing the commissions.
The Golkar Party and the PDI-P, two parties whose leaders have voiced support for Yudhoyono's administration and party at the House, each got two seats.
The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), National Mandate Party (PAN), United Development Party (PPP) and National Awakening Party (PKB) got one post each.
The Democratic Party, owning 148 out of 560 House seats, will place legislators at the top of Commission III on law, human rights and security, Commission VII on mineral, energy, technology and environment, and House Commission X on culture and education.
According to deputy speaker Priyo Budi Santoso from The Golkar Party, the Democratic Party has managed to use its advantage to gain the leadership of Commission III, one of the most heavily targeted commissions.
Golkar, which owns 106 seats, managed to secure chairmanship posts at House Commission II on internal affairs and House Commission VI on trade, industry and investment.
"Those commissions were chosen based on our previous consolidation meeting with Golkar chairman Aburizal Bakrie," he said.
"We consider them to be crucial, especially Commission II, which deals with important internal affairs issue ranging from city management, the General Elections Commission *KPU*, and the election itself," he added.
Meanwhile, the PDI-P managed to obtain the chairmanship posts at House Commission IX on labor, sports and women's empowerment, and House Commission XI on finance and banking.
The PKS got the leadership post at House Commission I on defense and foreign affairs while the
PAN, which ranks fifth in the House in terms of seats, gained the top leader post at House Commission V on transportation, public works and infrastructure.
The PPP gained the top post at House Commission IV on forestry and agriculture, while the PKB got the chairman post at House Commission VIII on religious affairs. (hdt)
