More than a hundred legislators plan to question President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono over the government's decision to support the UN Security Council's resolution imposing new sanctions on Iran after its refusal to suspend its nuclear program.
Legislators from a variety of parties said the government's decision did not represent the opinion of Indonesia and had damaged ties between Indonesia and Iran.
Within the past two days, 132 legislators from a range of political parties have signed a document questioning the decision, which will be to the plenary session by House Speaker Agung Laksono on Thursday.
The House's internal rulings require only 13 signatures from legislators to regard a move to question the President as valid.
Agung, who was the last to sign, on Wednesday, said if the plenary session approved the move, the President, or a cabinet minister representing him, would have to explain the reasons behind the government's decision to back the UN resolution.
The Constitution and the 2003 Composition of the People's Consultative Assembly Law, the House of Representatives and Provincial and Regency Legislatures assure legislators' right to question the President over policies and decisions that are considered to be against the law or the country's national interests.
If the President's explanation is found unsatisfactory, the House can call on the People's Consultative Assembly to hold a special session to impeach him.
The move was initiated by several legislators during the House's plenary session Tuesday. The Democrat Party, the main supporter of the President, was the only faction opposing the move.
Several Muslim clerics and public figures have also indicated their support of the plan.
Former chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN) Amien Rais has joined the protest but has said he does not believe the House is serious in its plans to question the President.
Anas Urbaningrum, a politician from the Democrat Party, called on the government to explain to the public its decision to support the UN resolution.
"Indonesia should have abstained in the Security Council meeting to take a safe position in applying the country's foreign policy. But, of course, the government has its own reasons for accepting the resolution," he said.
Djoko Susilo, a member of the defense and foreign policy commission at the House, called on all sides to be rational rather than emotional in their reactions to the government's decision, saying national interests should be the main reason behind the decision.
"Indonesia cannot deploy double standards in its foreign policy. Why was the opposition silent when Indonesia abstained over the UN resolution imposing sanctions on the Myanmarese junta, which violates the rights of (Myanmarese) minority groups?" he said.
