PARLIAMENT VOTES TO INTERPELLATE PRESIDENT OVER

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 001405 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/18/2012 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC IR ID SUBJECT: PARLIAMENT VOTES TO INTERPELLATE PRESIDENT OVER IRAN VOTE REF: A. JAKARTA 972 (HEAT STILL ON YUDHOYONO FOLLOWING IRAN VOTE) ¶B. JAKARTA 930 (FM GRILLED OVER IRAN VOTE) ¶C. JAKARTA 271(GRIM PICTURE OF PRESIDENCY) ¶D. 06 JAKARTA 5703 (IRAN ENGAGES DPR) ¶E. 06 JAKARTA 1176 (INDONESIA'S DPR) Classified By: Charge d'Affaires John A. Heffern, Reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (U) Indonesia's controversial vote in favor of UNSCR 1747, which sanctioned Iran over its nuclear program, continues to dog President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, with the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) voting on May 14 to interpellate the president about Indonesia's position. Demonstrating the widespread discontent in parliament over Indonesia's UNSC position, seven of the ten political party groupings supported the motion. From Yudhoyono's coalition, Golkar (Vice President Jusuf Kalla's party),Prosperous Justice Party (PKS),National Mandate Party (PAN),United Development Party (PPP),and National Awakening Party (PKB) factions voted in favor of interpellation, as did the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle (PDIP) and the Democracy Pioneer Star Party (BPD). Yudhoyono's own Democratic Party (PD) and the Peace and Justice Party (PDS) factions opposed it, while the Reform Star Party (PBR) faction abstained. ¶2. (C) According to Desra Percaya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Acting Director General for Multilateral Affairs, the interpellation will occur on May 29. (Note. Local media have reported May 22 as the interpellation date. End Note.) However, as reported Ref A, Yudhoyono will most likely not appear in person, instead sending Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda to represent him. As Yudhoyono's advisor Andi Mallarangeng told the press on May 15th, the president is not required to answer the parliament's questions personally; he cited as precedent a March 2006 interpellation session on avian influenza, at which the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare appeared on the president's behalf. Regardless of whether Yudhoyono answers directly or indirectly through a minister, Mallarangeng asserted, "what is certain is that (the questions) will be answered well." On May 16th, Yudhoyono's spokesman announced that the president will visit Malaysia on May 28; we understand that Yudhoyono is unlikely to return to Indonesia until late on May 29. HEFFERN