Friday, 25 May, 2012
TEMPO Interactive, The Hague:The warm weather ahead of summer was welcomed by residents of the Hague. However, on Wednesday morning (May 23, 2012) two legislators of the State Finance Accountability Board seemed very cross. Democrat Party politician Yahya Secawiria and Golkar legislator Kamaruddin Sjam began to sulk at the news that Dutch members of parliament might not be able to meet with them.
The political temperature over the Dutch parliament was at its height since Tuesday, May 22, 2012, when the parliament's debate over the bailout money for the hardest hit Europan Union countries due to economic crisis became heated. As a result, members of the Public Expenditure Committee (PEC) might not be able to receive the Indonesian MPs. Only the PEC staff would probably receive them.
"We're Indonesian legislators. We should be received by people of the same rank," remarked Yahya sulkily. Despite being neatly dressed in formal clothes, he and Kamaruddin insisted on staying put at the hotel until there was certainty they could meet with the Dutch legislators.
A quarter of an hour later, PEC Deputy Chairman J.H. Broeke managed to find time to receive the BAKN delegation. Only then did Yahya and Sjam walk over to the parliament building which is close to their hotel.
During the knowledge-sharing sessions with J.H. Broeke and a PEC member, Yahya and Sjam dozed off in their seats for a few moments. Apparently after lunch, their eyelids became heavy.
BUNGA MANGGIASIH (The Hague)
vr 25 mei 2012 - 23:00