Lawmaker defends vote of no confidence

A House of Representatives’ law commission member has vowed not to withdraw a vote of no confidence motion he and 24 fellow politicians have filed against leaders of the legislative body for holding an exclusive meeting with National Police chief candidate Comr. Gen. Timur Pradopo prior to his interview.

Bambang Soesatyo of the Golkar Party said Saturday he regretted a statement from House Speaker Marzuki Alie, who branded the petition as “a wild act”.

“It’s not true that our no confidence petition is a wild act as it was signed by one of the law commission deputy chairman,” Bambang told Antara news agency, referring to Azis Syamsuddin also from Golkar. Other signatories include lawmakers from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s Democratic Party.

The motion was filed with the House honors council in a show of protest against the meeting between the House leaders, including Marzuki, and Timur on Thursday. The petitioners said the meeting would tarnish the House’s image.

The law commission is slated to interview Timur on Monday, with the House expected to regroup for a plenary to endorse his nomination the day after.

Marzuki, a Democratic Party patron, lashed out at the petitioners and asked them to withdraw the motion.

Deputy House speaker Priyo Budi Santosa, who initiated the meeting with Timur, said there was nothing wrong with inviting Timur and other state officials for a get-together to know each other.

"I warn the petitioners to immediately drop the motion and respect the House leaders,” Priyo of Golkar said.