The right should be exercised carefully because the Minister of Justice made his decision through a proper internal party mechanism, PDIP`s acting secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) has opposed an idea to invoke a parliamentary right to initiate an investigation against Justice Minister Yasona Laoly for his decision related to the Golkar Party.

"It will not be correct to apply the right to investigate Pak (Mr) Yasona because the right is reserved for investigating strategic issues affecting the majority of people," PDIPs acting secretary-general Hasto Kristiyanto told newsmen here on Wednesday.

According to him, the right should be exercised carefully because the Minister of Justice made his decision through a proper internal party mechanism.

He noted that the Justice Minister must have been aware of the law on political parties that states that conflicts over party leadership must be settled through party tribunals.

"In this case, the party tribunal, in its verdict signed by Chief Judge Muladi, clearly confirmed Agung Laksonos leadership of the Golkar Party," he explained.

Hasto remarked that the PDIP, as the main supporter of the current government, will back every policy taken by the government, including the one by the Minister of Justice confirming Agung Laksonos leadership.

He stressed that the PDIP will advocate the Justice Ministers policy in parliament because the minister has followed the law.

"As a political party, we will firmly uphold the constitution and give full support to the government as long as it acts in accordance with the law," he added.

He emphasized that no one should use an internal problem in a party to take over parliament as a proxy of the partys concern.

He expressed hope that problems within the Golkar Party can be settled internally without involving other parties.

The Red-White coalition of opposition parties, including the Golkar Party, Gerindra, PPP, Democrat Party, and PKS, has been deliberating whether to invoke the parliamentary right to initiate an investigation against the Minister of Justice for his decision recognizing the Golkar Party formed in a congress held in Ancol, Jakarta, that elected Agung Laksono as the party leader.

"We will give an opportunity to the Minister of Justice (to correct his decision). If he fails, we will use our constitutional right in line with MD3 legislative institution law and the House internal rules," the chairman of the rival Golkar Party faction in the House, Ade Komarudin, said at the parliament building on March 13.

Ade, who belongs to the Aburizal Bakrie-led Golkar Party camp, reminded the Minister of Justice of the need to correct his decision by citing it was against the law.

"We will see the development (regarding the constitutional right)," he added.

Earlier, the secretary-general of the United Development Party (PPP) of the Jakarta-congress version, Dimyati Natakusumah, also warned the Justice Minister over his decision on a conflict in the PPP.

Minister Yasonna Laoly has recognized the PPP under the leadership of Romahurmuzzy, igniting protests from its rival group led by Suryadharma Ali.

The administrative court recently ruled in favor of Suryadharma Alis leadership. However, the Justice Minister and Romahurmuzzy has filed an appeal against it.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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