Appointment of regional representatives queried<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Regional representatives to the People's
\nConsultative Assembly should be directly elected by the people
\ninstead of being selected by the provincial legislatures, a
\npolitical lecturer has said.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul Amal, rector of the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada
\nUniversity, said that electing the 135 regional representatives,
\nand also 65 interest group representatives, by direct ballots
\nwould be \"fair and democratic\" and would ensure their commitment
\nto working for public aspirations.<\/p>\n
\"All villages should propose their candidates, who would be
\nselected at subdistrict and regency levels,\" Ichlasul said in a
\ndiscussion on the presidency at the House of Representatives on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
This would ensure their accountability, he said.<\/p>\n
\"In the next elections, the MPR regional representatives
\nshould be directly elected by the people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The 200 representatives will sit in the 700-member People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) and vote in the presidential
\nelection, the main item on the agenda of the Assembly's General
\nSession this November.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul said that the appointment of the regional and
\ninterest group representatives, as stipulated by the 1999 law on
\nthe structure of the House, MPR and provincial and regional
\nlegislatures was \"against democracy\".<\/p>\n
During the deliberation of the law last year, legislators
\nsought to break away from the past practice of having the 200
\nrepresentatives picked by the ruling party and particularly
\nformer president Soeharto.<\/p>\n
Interest group representatives, for example, included youth
\nand professional organizations affiliated with Golkar. Governors,
\nmany of them military members, automatically became regional
\nrepresentatives. Other appointees included several military
\ncommanders, while military officers were also included as
\ninterest group members representing the armed forces.<\/p>\n
Among the main changes made to the law on the composition of
\nthe MPR regarding regional and interest group representatives was
\nthat they be appointed by the provincial legislative councils.
\nMeanwhile interest group representatives are proposed through
\nrespective groups to the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
\"Being appointed, their (representatives') accountability
\ncannot be guaranteed,\" Ichlasul said.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul explained that the Constitution was vague regarding
\nthe representatives.<\/p>\n
\"The 1945 Constitution stipulates MPR members comprise all
\nHouse members, regional representatives and interest group
\nrepresentatives, but it does not explain whether the two groups'
\nmembers should be appointed or elected,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said that the appointment of interest group representatives
\nhas always been unclear.<\/p>\n
Legislators have agreed that for the upcoming session, all
\ninterest groups would select their own members, who would then be
\napproved by the General Elections Commission.<\/p>\n
\"Which groups in society should be included in the interest
\ngroups? To me, all societal groups, including ulema, women, the
\ndisabled and business circles, could channel their aspirations
\nthrough the existing political parties,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Demands have been made for amendments to the 1945
\nConstitution, once a taboo subject, including the makeup of the
\nMPR, the presidency and other subjects.<\/p>\n
The General Elections Commission, stipulated by law to set the
\ncriteria for the interest groups for the 1999-2004 period, has
\nstated there would be 10 interest groups represented. Members
\nwould include representatives of professionals, women, various
\nreligions and the business community, the disabled and scholars.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul, who is a lecturer of politics at Gadjah Mada, called
\non the next General Session of the MPR to review the function of
\nthe highest legislative body itself.<\/p>\n
He said the function of the MPR lacked a legal basis in the
\nconstitution, which only said the MPR was a reflection of the
\npeople.<\/p>\n
The constitution would need to mention whether the parliament
\nsystem uses the one chamber or two chamber system, Ichlasul said.<\/p>\n
\"If we use the two chamber system the MPR should change its
\nfunction to that of a congress like that in the United States.
\nWith such a system, both the MPR and the House would function
\ndemocratically,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul also expressed his deep concern over the low
\neducational background of most legislative candidates, saying
\nthis would be a serious hurdle to doing their job in the
\nlegislative body.<\/p>\n
\"Future legislators should be proactive and frequently visit
\nscience centers, such as universities and research centers, to
\nimprove their skills and knowledge,\" he said in Yogyakarta on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, constitutional law expert
\nAndi Mappajantji Amin said the constitution should clearly limit
\nthe presidential term of office and stipulate a direct
\npresidential election.(rms\/swa\/27)<\/p>",
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