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Vast majority of Red-and-White Coalition lawmakers attend inauguration, nixing boycott rumors
Leaders of political parties affiliated with the Red-and-White Coalition have fulfilled their promise not to obstruct the inauguration ceremony of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Monday, despite their declared opposition to the new government
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eaders of political parties affiliated with the Red-and-White Coalition have fulfilled their promise not to obstruct the inauguration ceremony of President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Monday, despite their declared opposition to the new government.
Some 672 out of the 685 members of the People of Consultative Assembly (MPR) attended Monday's inauguration ceremony, according to opening remarks delivered by MPR Speaker and National Mandate Party (PAN) politician Zulkifli Hasan.
The MPR is currently composed of 555 DPR (House of Representatives) lawmakers from a total of 560 House seats and 130 DPD (Regional Representatives Council) lawmakers from a total 132 DPD seats. Lawmakers in both legislative bodes were elected during the April 9 legislative election. Five politicians elected to the MPR and two elected to the DPD have seen their inauguration delayed due to their alleged involvement in cases of corruption.
Prior to the ceremony, rumors had been circulating that certain scenarios had been prepared to disrupt Jokowi's inauguration, including a plan to boycott the event so that a quorum could not be reached for the session.
The Red-and-White Coalition consists of the five political parties - Gerindra Party, Golkar Party, PAN, United Development Party (PPP) and Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) -- that supported the unsuccessful presidential bid of Gerindra chairman Prabowo Subianto.
The coalition, which holds a majority of seats at the House, recently managed to secure the leadership of both the MPR and the House.
Political elites within the coalition, however, have repeatedly denied rumors of a boycott and pledged to support Jokowi's inauguration ceremony. (nfo)
