HTI condemns Israel, rejects Obama's planned visit

to Indonesia
Antara, Jakarta | Tue, 06/01/2010 6:02 PM | National
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Some 1,000 Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI) members staged a rally outside the US
embassy in Jakarta Tuesday to condemn Israel's attack on an international
humanitarian flotilla and reject US President Barack Obama's planned visit to
Indonesia.

The protesters unfurled a number of banners which among others read "Wipe Out
Israel," "Reject Obama," and "Send Troops to Palestine," the Antara news agency
reported.

HTI orator Salman Al Farisi said Obama was Israel's ally and, therefore, he did not
deserve to visit Indonesia which supported Palestinians' struggle for an independent
state.

He also called on the Indonesian government not to be cheated by various policies

issued by the superpower country.

HTI spokesman Muhammad Ismail Yusanto said the organization condemned, in the
strongest term, Israel's uncivilized attack on a convoy of "Freedom Flotilla" ships
which left tens of people dead and others injured.

"The attack indicates who is really Israel," he said.

He urged leaders of Muslim countries to unite to stop Israel's uncivilized act and
protect Palestinians, including all members of humanitarian missions.
Legislators disappointed with peers' discipline
Hans David Tampubolon, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 06/01/2010 4:38 PM |
National
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A number of legislators at the House of Representatives have expressed their

disappointment with some of their colleagues who skipped Tuesday’s plenary session.

“This is the second consecutive time that we have a nearly empty plenary session. A
lot of legislators sign the presence list, but physically speaking, attendance is low.
Therefore, I suggest House leadership do something to address this matter as soon as
possible,” Roy Suryo from the Democratic Party said during the session in Jakarta.

Nudirman Munir from the Golkar Party said he understood Roy’s disappointment.

“I believe Pak Roy must also bring this issue to the House honors board,” Nudirman
said.

Roy told The Jakarta Post via a text message he deemed the House's empty plenary
session was because most of the legislators were only concerned with camera time.

“When they know that this session is not broadcasted live on TV, they just leave,” he
said.

Previously, the session was temporarily delayed because too few legislators were
attending it.

Based on the Post's observations, no more than 100 legislators were actually in the
plenary room, while the list of attendance said 325 legislators.

Earlier in the day, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono delivered a speech

commemorating the anniversary of Pancasila at the People's Consultative Assembly,
packed with legislators and regional legislative representatives.