Horse Trading in Senayan

BAMBANG Brodjonegoro slipped out of the budget meeting held at the budget division office at the House of Representatives (DPR) complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, around midnight two weeks ago. The meeting between the government and the House of Representatives became stuck in stalemate as the Gerindra Party refused to endorse the government's budget proposal. Accompanied by his special staffer Arif Budimanta, the finance minister then headed toward Hotel Dharmawangsa in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, where Gerindra's Chairman Prabowo Subianto and Secretary-General Ahmad Muzani were already waiting.

Their talks began with the minister's explanation regarding issues surrounding the state budget (APBN). Tension began to flare when the discussions turned to the state's capital participation in state companies (BUMNs). Prabowo did not share the same view when Bambang explained the reason behind the fund injection. Both holding own grounds, they became embroiled in a heated argument. "BUMNs are important but not priorities at this time," Prabowo declared in a high tone, as quoted by a Senayan politician.