JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Sidarto Danusubroto, senior politician from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and former adjutant of the First Indonesia’s President Soekarno, has been appointed by PDI-P Chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri to replace the late Taufiq Kiemas as Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR).
Tjahjo Kumolo, Secretary General of PDI-P, confirmed that Sidarto’s name has been delivered by Megawati in a meeting with four deputies of MPR’s Speaker.
Sidarto will replace Taufiq until his term ends in 2014. Sidarto, as scheduled, will be sworn in as new Speaker of MPR on Friday (July 5). Sidarto, a 77 years old, now serves as member of the House Commission I (overseeing defense & foreign affairs). In the management structure of PDI-P’s Central Executive Board (DPP), Sidarto serves as Chairman of PDI-P Honorary Board.
As earlier reported, Taufiq Kiemas, husband of Megawati and key leader of PDI-P, has passed away in Singapore on June 8, 2013, due to illness. Taufiq’s remains was buried in a military burial ceremony at the Kalibata Heroes Cemetery in Kalibata, South Jakarta on June 9, 2013. (haryantos@yosefardi.biz)