REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The daughter of the late former president Soeharto, Siti Hediati Hariyadi (Titiek) has been named by her Golkar party to replace Mahyudin as one of the chairpersons of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR). Golkar's chief coordinator for party affairs, Ibnu Munzir confirmed the information.
"Yes, it is true. The process is already ongoing," Ibnu said in a text message on Friday evening.
He said the letter about the decision had been sent by party secretary general Lodewijk Fredrich to MPR for immediate processing.
Ibnu said the replacement seemed to be mere refreshing. "I did not know exactly the reason but perhaps it is merely for refreshing," he said.
Rumors about the issue has spread since the end of last year and Mahyudin himself has given response about it several times.
According to him mechanism for replacement of MPR leadership cannot be done exclusivelt through a political party as MPR leadership also represents Regional Representatives Council (DPD).
He said the rules about MPR positions are found in the law on MPR, DPR (House of Representatives), DPD and DPRD (regional legislative assembly) known also as MD3 law.
Indonesia plans to conduct elections of provincial governors, city mayors and district heads in several regions simultaneously later this year and legislative as well as presidential elections next year.