House expects president to forward new candidates for BI governor

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The House of Representatives (DPR) has decided to reject President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyon`s two candidates for the post of Bank Indonesia (central bank) governor and expects him to forward new candidates next week, House Speaker Agung Laksono said here Tuesday.

Speaking to the prees after chairing the House plenary session that made the decision, Agung said the House was hoping the president could submit the names of new candidates early next week so that they could be subjected to fit-and-proper tests before the House went on recess on April 15.

The legislature arrived at its disapproving stand through a meeting among faction chairmen and the leadership of the House`s Commission XI which had conducted fit-and-proper tests on the president`s two candidates, Agus Martowardojo and Raden Pardede.

Agung said the Golkar Party faction to which he belonged had actually given its vote to Agus Martowardojo but after the House plenary had decided to turn down both candidates, the Golkar Party faction went along with it.

"Before there is a decision, it is alright to differ in view but after a decision has been made, we must all support it," he said.

He said the Golkar Party faction also wanted the president to present new candidiates to the House. "They can be either from within or outside BI. It`s up to the president," he added.(*) end