Assembly members arrive for Annual Session<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Less than half the members of the People's Consultative
\nAssembly (MPR) have arrived in Jakarta two days before the
\nAssembly's Annual Session begins, while the factions have been
\nintensifying their negotiations to prevent a deadlock on
\nconstitutional reform.<\/p>\n
MPR media relations officer Aip Suherman said on Tuesday that
\nthe 682 Assembly members would stay at the Hotel Mulia throughout
\nthe session. The hotel is suited adjacent to the MPR's sprawling
\ncomplex and is within easy reach.<\/p>\n
\"Members from the regions are starting to check in ... the
\nothers who live in Jakarta are also required to stay at the
\nhotel,\" Aip said.<\/p>\n
The government has allotted Rp 19.5 billion (about US$2.13
\nmillion) for the 10-day session. According to Aip, accommodation
\nand supplies for members are likely to be the biggest expenses.<\/p>\n
Other expenses include refurbishing the MPR building and
\nfacilities, and providing legislators with bags, notepads and
\nother requisites, Antara reported.<\/p>\n
Aip said 1,885 reporters, including 156 from overseas, would
\ncover the MPR session, which could turn out to be the last of its
\nkind.<\/p>\n
This year's session plans to approve amendments to the 1945
\nConstitution that would change the MPR's membership composition
\nand strip it of most of its political clout.<\/p>\n
The MPR consists of members of the House of Representatives
\nand non-elected members from the functional groups. The
\nconstitutional amendment proposals seek to have only elected
\nmembers in the MPR.<\/p>\n
With much at stake for the political parties, lobbying has
\nintensified among the MPR factions to strengthen their positions
\nahead of official talks next week.<\/p>\n
Chairman of the MPR special ad hoc committee for the annual
\nsession Alihardi Kiaidemak said the committee had arranged
\nschedules for the factions to conduct internal and inter-faction
\ndiscussions.<\/p>\n
Lobbying would take place in the evening after the closing of
\nformal talks to wrap up unfinished issues and unfreeze positions,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Party members have said they must avoid a deadlock over the
\nconstitutional reform talks as this could throw the country into
\nlegal limbo or force it to revert to the unamended 1945
\nConstitution.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/assembly-members-arrive-for-annual-session-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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