TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – A total of 33 Jakarta Legislative Council members have signed the petition to escalate the right of inquiry, exercised earlier against Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, to the right of opinion.

“A day after the plenary session on the right of inquiry, 33 councilors from the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra), the United Development Party (PPP) and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) signed the petition to exercise the right of opinion,” City Council deputy speaker Muhammad Taufik said on Wednesday, April 8, 2015 in Jakarta.

According to Taufik, the rights of interpellation, inquiry and opinion are governed in the Legislative Institution Law (MD3) and the City Council’s rules and regulation. Therefore, Taufik said that the councilors should not hesitate to follow-up on the right of inquiry by exercising the right of opinion against Ahok.

Taufik added that in the process of exercising the right of opinion, the City Council might urge Ahok to extend an apology or take measures to impeach him.

A week after the plenary session discussing opinions expressed by the factions, Taufik said, the City Council would hold another session asking Ahok for explanations. The results of the plenary session will be forwarded to the Supreme Court.

Within 30 days, the Supreme Court will discuss the results before they are handed over to the City Council and forwarded to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

ANTARA