Debate may delay Constitutional Court bill<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A meeting between leaders of the House of Representatives and the
\nchairmen of House factions failed on Tuesday to reach a consensus
\non who should lead the special committee deliberating the bill on
\nthe Constitutional Court.<\/p>\n
The majority of the legislators wanted the special committee
\nto be headed by Zein Badjeber, a veteran politician from the
\nUnited Development Party (PPP) faction. The Indonesian Democratic
\nParty of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction, however, insisted
\nthat the committee be chaired by Zaenal Arifin, a PDI Perjuangan
\nmember.<\/p>\n
The dispute prompted House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo
\nSoerjogoeritno of PDI Perjuangan to adjourn the meeting until
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
Based on the amended 1945 Constitution, the House and the
\ngovernment must set up the Constitutional Court by Aug. 17, 2003,
\nat the latest.<\/p>\n
With less than three month to go, the wrangle over the
\ncommittee chairmanship may push back the court's establishment.<\/p>\n
"I was assigned by my faction to chair the special committee.
\nBut since there was a dispute, I asked the chairman to delay the
\nconsultation meeting," Zaenal Arifin told The Jakarta Post on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
The Constitutional Court will be in charge of settling
\nconstitutional disputes. Any delay in its establishment would
\nmean that the Supreme Court, which is already swamped with cases,
\nwould be called upon to settle any constitutional disputes that
\nmight arise.<\/p>\n
With elections fast approaching the need for a Constitutional
\nCourt is seen as that much more important. The court will have
\nthe authority to review existing laws, settle disputes among
\nstate institutions, dissolve political parties and settle any
\ndisputes over election results.<\/p>\n
Also, the Constitutional Court will be called on should the
\nHouse accuse the president and\/or vice president of violating the
\nConstitution.<\/p>\n
The consultation meeting was held on Monday to discuss the
\nappointment of three legislators to chair three special
\ncommittees deliberating three bills.<\/p>\n
I Nyoman Goenawan of PDI Perjuangan was appointed to chair the
\nspecial committee investigating land dispute throughout the
\ncountry, while Akil Mochtar of Golkar was appointed to head the
\ncommittee deliberating the bill on foundations.<\/p>\n
"To be fair, a PPP legislator should chair the committee
\ndeliberating the bill on the Constitutional Court," said PPP
\nlegislator Sjaiful Rachman.<\/p>\n
Sayuti Rahawarin of the Daulatul Ummah Party (PDU) faction
\nsaid he wanted Zein Badjeber to lead the special committee
\nbecause the bill on the Constitutional Court was drafted by the
\nlegislation body headed by Zein.<\/p>\n
"Ideally, Pak Zein would chair the committee because he knows
\nthe bill better," he said.<\/p>\n
Sjaiful Rachman added that the House must appoint a chairman
\nfor the committee immediately because any delays could affect the
\nendorsement of the bill.<\/p>\n
Zaenal, meanwhile, said the position of committee chairman was
\nnot overly strategic. He said he would accept any decision made
\nby his faction.<\/p>\n
"The most important thing is for the committee to start
\ndeliberating the bill," he said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/debate-may-delay-constitutional-court-bill-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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