Call for MPR reform gets positive response<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The latest call for the highest law making body,
\nthe People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), to be more active
\nreceived a positive response from a senior official of the body
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi, one of the MPR deputy chiefs, said that the law-
\nmaking body should convene not only once every five years as has
\nbeen practiced over the past three decades, but should meet more
\nfrequently to discuss major state problems.<\/p>\n
\"I personally think issues like the growing public demand for
\ndemocracy and prompt actions to narrow the gap between the rich
\nand the poor are worth addressing at the moment,\" said the deputy
\nin charge of economic affairs.<\/p>\n
The latest call for the Assembly, which cynics have branded as
\na rubber stamp institution for its perceived eagerness to endorse
\ngovernment policies, came from respected political analyst
\nSayidiman Suryohadiprojo last week.<\/p>\n
Sayidiman argued that the 1,000-seat Assembly, which is also
\nin charge of electing a president, should convene at least twice
\na year to ensure greater presidential accountability.<\/p>\n
The MPR assembles every five years to deliberate the
\nguidelines of state policy, review laws on politics and elect a
\npresident.<\/p>\n
The MPR, which is dominated by politicians from the ruling
\nGolkar party, is scheduled to assemble in 1998.<\/p>\n
Soerjadi stressed, however, that the Assembly should convene
\nonly to discuss truly urgent state matters because to call such a
\nmeeting would involve complicated and costly procedures.<\/p>\n
\"There should be no problem with meeting more than once every
\nfive years because the law states that the Assembly should
\nconvene 'at least once in every five years'\", said the legislator
\nfrom the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI).<\/p>\n
Proposals for the MPR and the House of Representatives to be
\nmore active hit a brick wall because of their notoriously
\ncomplicated in-house rules.<\/p>\n
For instance, to be able to propose a bill or amend a law, a
\npolitical faction should have the support of other (rival)
\nfactions.<\/p>\n
Critics have often targeted the MPR's working group for its
\nlack of initiative in defending the interests of the people.
\n(pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/call-for-mpr-reform-gets-positive-response-1447893297",
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