Lawmakers say no SBY impeachment

Jakarta, NU Online
Due to the lack of public support, the House of Representatives' decision to launch an inquiry into the government's fuel policy will not lead to the impeachment of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, lawmakers said Wednesday.

"Legally, that (impeachment) is still possible. But politically, it is just not realistic," said Effendy Choirie, who heads the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction in the House.<>

He said his party had found a "loophole" to impeach the President.

"We have found indications that the fuel price hike policy runs counter to the Constitution," he said.

But the idea to oust the President would not be supported by either the public or the House, he stressed.

"I don't think the public would like the idea of toppling the government, especially when its service term has almost come to an end. Moreover, the legislature is not united in raising the issue of impeachment."

Priyo Budi Santoso, head of the Golkar Party faction, which together with the Democratic Party were the only factions to oppose the inquiry, said presidential impeachment would be the worst result.

"But those parties who supported the petition (to launch the inquiry) have told us in a closed-door meeting that they don't want this right to an inquiry to lead to impeachment," he was quoted by The Jakarta Post as saying.

In a plenary session Tuesday, the House openly voted for a decision to use its right to investigate the government's policy of raising fuel prices. Of the 360 lawmakers in attendance, 233 supported the petition.

The Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Peace Party (PDS) were the key groups swinging on the decision for the petition. These factions had previously said such an inquiry was unnecessary.

PPP faction head Lukman Hakim Saifuddin said the inquiry could no longer be used to impeach the President, because the amended-Constitution stipulated that the president and vice president can only be deposed if they violate laws and the Constitution.

These constitutional and legal violations have also been limited to specific cases such as corruption, bribery and betrayal to the country, he said.

"In other words, the president and vice president cannot be impeached for their policies, no matter how extreme they are," Lukman said.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng agreed that no impeachment would result from the inquiry.

"It is clearly stipulated in our Constitution that the president can only be impeached for certain reasons, including committing crimes and betrayal to the country. But it has nothing to do with the petition."

He said the President was not worried that the House's petition would lead to an impeachment.

However, Syarief Hasan, who chairs President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party faction, expressed concern about the inquiry.

"Now politicians have a tool. Who can guarantee that they will not use it to impeach the President," he said.

Syarief said he was very upset with the PKS and PPP who voted for the petition at the last minute.

"For me, consistency is an important matter. Once you have agreed to build a coalition with us and have enjoyed many benefits from this coalition, you must be consistent," he said. (dar)