DPD Councilors to Join Hanura After Deputy Speaker Oesman Takes Party Lead
Jakarta. Several members of Regional Representatives Council, or DPD, have tipped joining the People's Conscience Party, or Hanura, after DPD Deputy Speaker Oesman Sapta Odang was unanimously elected the party's new chairman on Wednesday (21/12).
I Gede Pasek Suardika, a member of the Regional Representatives Council representing Bali, said a number of councilors have already committed to joining Hanura at the request of Oesman.
The 136 member strong DPD is tasked with deliberating draft bills at the House of Representatives. Most members do not belong to a political party as candidates can run independently.
“Oesman requested we join the party. Besides me, there are several names who are willing to join,” Pasek, a former Democratic Party politician, said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Pasek suggest Aceng Fikri from West Java, West Sumatra's Novi Chandra and Adrianus Garu from East Nusa Tenggara are among those planning to join. He also said former Democratic Party chairman Anas Urbaningrum, who is currently serving a 14 year jail sentence for his role in the notorious Hambalang graft case, has instructed loyalists to sign up to Hanura.
“During my visit to Sukamiskin Prison [in Bandung, West Java] last week, he requested me to invite his loyalists to join Hanura. We will consolidate further with [members] in many regions for that,” Pasek said.
Oesman became party chairman after previous leader Wiranto was appointed Chief Security Minister by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in July. The president has previously instructed cabinet members can not hold strategic positions within parties.
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