Democratization yet to take hold in RI: Experts<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): The current political system allows very
\nlittle room for the public to participate in the decision-making
\nprocess, experts said Saturday.<\/p>\n
Constitutional law expert Yusril Ihza Mahendra, political
\nscientist Arbi Sanit and sociologist Nasikun explored in a
\ndiscussion on politics here a number of flaws in the political
\nsystem. They concluded that democratization has yet to take hold
\nin Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The observers focused their attention on the general elections
\nand how, according to one of the speakers, they have been used by
\nthe New Order administration to maintain the status quo.<\/p>\n
Yusril, a staff lecturer at the University of Indonesia's law
\nschool, said the current proportional representation system,
\n\"tends to shift the people's sovereignty into a sovereignty of
\npolitical parties.\"<\/p>\n
He cited as an example the dismissal last year of legislators
\nBambang Warih Koesoema from the ruling Golkar group and Sri
\nBintang Pamungkas from the United Development Party (PPP).<\/p>\n
\"The system places little value on the participation of the
\npeople,\" Yusril said. \"No constituents were consulted when the
\ntwo legislators were dismissed from the House of Representatives,
\nnor were the reasons explained.\"<\/p>\n
Both Bambang and Bintang, known for speaking out on many
\nissues, were reprimanded for allegedly overstepping the
\nboundaries between their political organizations and the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Yusril cited the make-up of the House as another flaw. Of the
\n500 seats in the House, 400 are contested in elections by Golkar,
\nPPP or Indonesian Democratic Party members. The remaining 75 are
\nset aside for members of the Armed Forces (ABRI) whom the
\nPresident appoints based on the suggestions of ABRI commanders or
\nthe minister of security and defense.<\/p>\n
\"This appointment of ABRI members is nothing but political
\nengineering on the part of the New Order,\" Yusril said.
\n\"Theoretically, all House members should be elected.\"<\/p>\n
The 500 House members constitute half of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR), which convenes once every five years
\nto draw up the Broad Guidelines of State Policies and to elect a
\npresident. Yusril questioned the composition because all 500
\nmembers of the MPR are appointed.<\/p>\n
\"More people are appointed by the President than elected
\nthrough general elections,\" he pointed out. \"This diminishes the
\npeople's sovereignty in our system.\"<\/p>\n
Yusril said a first-past-the-post or district system would
\n\"theoretically be better in helping the people to realize their
\nsovereignty.\"<\/p>\n
Yusril said that there also is no distinction between the head
\nof state and the head of government.<\/p>\n
\"What happens then is the President instructs the minister of
\nhome affairs, who also happens to be a leading member of Golkar,
\nto establish the General Election Institute in charge of holding
\nelections,\" he said. \"How can this body be independent if it also
\nhas a stake in winning the general elections?\"<\/p>\n
Arbi Sanit focused his attention on the organizing of general
\nelections, which, he said, are geared to meet \"the government's
\npolitical interests\".<\/p>\n
\"Many violations have been committed by the government-backed
\nGolkar in order to maintain the status quo,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He suggested that the body in charge of holding the elections
\nmaintain neutrality by establishing an independent committee or
\nby improving cooperation and balancing the elements involved in
\nthe general elections.<\/p>\n
Arbi Sanit is one of the founders of the Independent Election
\nMonitoring Committee. Established in mid-March amidst much
\ncontroversy, the independent poll watchdog has been training its
\nactivists across the country to supervise a number of the early
\ngeneral election stages. (02\/swe\/31)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/democratization-yet-to-take-hold-in-ri-experts-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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