President SBY should be firm in handling Lapindo mud flow case

Kendari, NU Online
President of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Tifatul Sembiring suggested that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) to be firm handling the Lapindo hot mudflow case.

"PKS is one of the parties applying for the interpellation rights of the House members to ask for the president`s clarification in the handling of the Lapindo hot mudflow case," Tifaful said here on Monday.<>

He was in Kendari, the capital of Southeast Sulawesi province, in the framework of holding the party`s cadres meeting, thus acting as a campaigner for Ir. Asrun, M.Eng-Musadar Mappasomba pair in the local mayoral election.

PKS felt that the handling of the Lapindo mudflow case has taken too long a time, Tifaful said. His party has even pointed out that it must be clearly decided whether the mudflow case is purely a a national disaster or the result of carelessness on the part of PT. Lapindo Brantas.

If the case is a national disaster, the state should be responsible for handling it using funds from the state budget. But if it was the result of carelessness of PT. Lapindo Brantas, the company will be held responsible.

Tifaful said it must also become clear whether the President is siding with PT. Lapindo Brantas which has close relations with Coordinating Minister of Social Welfare Aburizal Bakrie, or whether he is thinking of the fate and interest of the people, especially the mudflow victims.

Asked what he thought of the fact that the head of state decided not to attend the House plenum for the interpellation, Tifatul said the matter depends on how far democracy goes in this country.

But PKS was of the opinion that it would be better for the president to attend the House plenum for the interpellation session.

The president, according to Tifaful, should become used to dialogues with the legislators, and should therefore not hesitate in attending such sessions.

PKS also hoped that the legislators in exercising the interpellation rights would maintain order and politeness making their expressions.

Asked if the legislators failed to express their views and opinions to the Head of State in a polite manner, Tifaful said it would taint their image in the eyes of the people.

"What the president also should know is that the proposed House`s interpellation session is aimed to test the President`s credibility to the people," he was quoted by Antara news agency as saying. (dar)