DPR Member F-Gerindra Denies Effendi Simbolon: There Is No Discourse On Forced Summoning Prabowo

JAKARTA - Member of the House of Representatives Commission I, Sugiono, said that his party would not force Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to have a meeting with members of the council. According to him, there was never any discourse of the forced summons.

"There has never been a discourse that Commission I will summon the Minister of Defense as conveyed in the discourse of Mr. Efendi Simbolon yesterday," he told reporters, Tuesday, June 1.

The head of Gerindra Commission I said that Prabowo Subianto's absence from the work meeting on Monday, May 31 was due to a limited meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi). Therefore, the presence of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto was represented by Deputy Defense Minister Lt. Gen. Muhammad Herindra.

"We realize that the dynamics of the agenda of each party are quite high, both the DPR and the government. The DPR also had a plenary agenda on Monday, the invitation of which was delivered on Sunday, so yes, we adjusted each other," he continued.

"From the start, there has been confirmation that he (Prabowo Subianto) will attend the meeting on June 2," he continued.

According to Sugiono, the relationship between Commission I of the DPR and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, including with other partners, is quite harmonious. So it will not force the person concerned for a meeting with the DPR.

"There is no coercion. I don't think Mr. Efendi's view represents the views of Commission I in general," he explained.

Previously, Defense Minister (Menhan) Prabowo Subianto was not present at the working meeting with Commission I of the DPR on Monday, May 31. The absence of the General Chairperson of the Gerindra Party was due to a meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).

Member of the House of Representatives Commission I, Effendi Simbolon, complained about Prabowo Subianto's absence. Because he considers the meeting with the DPR as important. He said the presence of Defense Minister Prabowo is important because the DPR needs to make political decisions regarding the defense issues that will be discussed.

Effendi also threatened to use his authority to forcibly summon Prabowo Subianto on Wednesday, June 2.

This is not the first time that Effendi has highlighted Prabowo Subianto's absence from a meeting with Commission I. When asked about reports that Prabowo Subianto wanted to buy an advanced F-35 fighter with stealth technology made in the United States, Effendi said there had been no discussion about it. Because Prabowo hasn't come to the meeting for a long time.

"Officially the government of the Minister of Defense (Prabowo Subianto) has never conveyed it. Because it has been 6 months that he has not attended a working meeting in the DPR," he said when contacted by VOI, Monday, April 26.