The 50 new Medan Legislative Council members in North Sumatra were sworn in on Sept. 15, 2009, but have yet to commence work due to a dispute.
The conflict began when new council speaker Denni Ilham Panggabean from the Democratic Party refused to endorse the establishment last month of four commissions at the city's legislature.
The Democratic Party failed to make any of its councilors commission leaders after reportedly being bullied by a coalition of seven parties in the council.
The seven parties involved in electing commission leaders at the Medan municipal council were the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), the Golkar Party, the National Mandate Party (PAN), the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS), the Patriot United Development Party (FPPP), which is an alliance of the Patriot Party and the United Development Party (PPP), and the United Medan Party, which is a grouping of the New Indonesia Party (PIB), the National People's Concern Party (PPRN) and the Labor Party.
The Democratic Party, which is the largest party of the 50-member council with 16 seats, has since demanded its "share" of commission leadership positions.
"There should be a leader from the Democratic Party in each of the four existing commissions," Denni Ilham, who also chairs the Medan branch of the Democratic Party, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday. "We are not demanding the position be chief of the commissions, but at least the deputy chief or secretary."
During a meeting in mid-October, the councilors reached an agreement on the establishment of four commissions.
Commission A is headed by Landen Marbun from the PDS. Porman Naibaho from the PDI-P is his deputy and Ilhamsyah from Golkar is the secretary.
Commission B is led by Irwanto Tampubolon from the United Medan Party, assisted by deputy chief Julaindi Siregar from PKS and commission secretary Paulus Sinulingga from PDS. Commission C is chaired by Arifai Tambunan from the PAN, with deputy chief Bangkit Sitepu from the FPPP, and secretary Zulmurado Slawat Siregar from the PKS.
Commission D is fronted by Ahmad Parlindungan Batubara of the FPPP, with deputy head Ramon Simatupang from the United Medan Party and secretary Ahmad Arif from the PAN.
Denni said the establishment of the commissions were unacceptable and he called for a re-election.
When asked for confirmation Wednesday, Surianda Lubis from the PKS said the commission leaders elected by the seven parties were final because the elections involved all the councilors, including those from the Democratic Party.
However, during the voting process, every Democratic Party member walked out of the meeting on the grounds that their aspirations had not been accommodated by other party members.
JP/Apriadi Gunawan
