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Delegation Reports
PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION FROM
INDONESIA:
WEDNESDAY 13 DECEMBER 2006
The Delegation
Mr Sutan Bhatoegana
Leader of the Delegation &Chair of the bi-lateral cooperation group
Mr Constant M. Ponggawa
Vice-Chair of the bi-lateral cooperation group
Mr Joyokusumo Sumyandono
Mr Mohamad Aly Yahya
Mr Mahadi Sinambela
Mr Endang Akhmad Darojat
Mr Jaka Aryadipa Singgih
Mr Tosari Widjaja
Mr Pupung Suharis Soegito
Mr Denny Sultany Hasan
Mr Nurhadi M. Musawir
Mr Taufikurrachman Saleh
Mr M. Nizar Dahlan
Mr Bursah Zarnubi
Mr MC Zaqki Zachariaz Thamrin
Secretary of the bi-lateral cooperation group
Mr Saiful Islam - Secretary of the bi-lateral cooperation group
This visit took place outside the scheduled BGIPU programme. The Indonesian
Embassy in London initiated the visit with the aim of improving parliamentary
contacts. The delegates were all members of the bi-lateral co-operation
group in the Indonesian House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, 13 December, the British Group IPU hosted a day in parliament
for this delegation. The day started with a tour of Parliament which was
led by Tim Loughton MP and the Rt Hon Lord Kilclooney. The delegates then
met Mike Gapes MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee who outlined
the UK committee system and in particular the role of the Foreign Affairs
Committee. The delegates asked questions about the role of the Speaker
and the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards. There was also an interesting
discussion about the Muslim community in the UK and the new racial and
religious hatred act.
The delegates observed Prime Minister’s Question Time from the Gallery
before having lunch in the Attlee Room in the House of Lords. Lunch was
hosted by the Rt Hon Lord Jopling DL and was attended by a cross party
selection of MPs and Peers.
The programme concluded with a round table parliamentary discussions meeting
which was chaired by Khalid Mahmood MP, Chair of the All Party Parliamentary
Group for Indonesia. The delegation indicated that they would welcome
more bi-lateral co-operation and described our relations as a mutually
beneficial partnership. In particular they would like to see more co-operation
in the fight against terrorism and increased contact in the spheres of
trade and investment and higher education. The delegates spoke at length
about the difficulty in balancing the need to enforce security against
peoples’ right to civil liberties. The discussion also touched on
the situation in Aceh and East Timor.
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