Members doubt Constitutional Commission works<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
A number of Constitutional Commission members expressed doubt on
\nTuesday that the new body would be able to assess and synchronize
\nconflicting articles of the amended Constitution.<\/p>\n
They said their skepticism was caused by the fact the
\ncommission had no clear method for assessing the articles.<\/p>\n
"It has been almost one month since the commission was
\nestablished and we have produced nothing but a schedule," said
\ncommission member M. Fadjrul Falaakh during an internal meeting
\nattended by 18 of the 31 commission members.<\/p>\n
Fajrul said the commission members were part of the problem
\nbecause they still had not defined the details of their work.<\/p>\n
Fellow commission member Isnaeni Ramdhan agreed with Fadjrul,
\nsaying the commission should establish guidelines for assessing
\nthe articles.<\/p>\n
Since its establishment on Oct. 7, the commission has only
\ncompleted a work schedule. It has not yet determined how it will
\ntreat the conflicting articles in the amended Constitution.<\/p>\n
Constitutional law expert Maria Farida Indrati proposed at
\nleast two articles on the Regional Representatives Council (DPD)
\nand the president's legislative rights for revision.<\/p>\n
She said the article that stipulates a province will elect
\nfour DPD members was questionable, because the size and the
\npopulation of each province differs.<\/p>\n
Another article that allows a bill to come into effect within
\n30 days after being approved by the House of Representatives
\nwithout being signed by the president also raises constitutional
\nproblems, she said.<\/p>\n
The commission members also debated whether they would hear
\nfrom the public before considering the constitutional articles.
\nThe commission eventually agreed to hear from the public starting
\nfrom Nov. 5.<\/p>\n
The first group to be invited will be the Forum of Academic
\nReview of the Constitution, chaired by Amin Aryoso of the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).<\/p>\n
The forum is known for its persistent opposition to the
\nconstitutional amendments.<\/p>\n
Veteran politicians who are members of the forum include Abdul
\nMadjid, Bambang Pranoto, Syahrul A. Matondang, Sadjarwo
\nSukadiman, Haryanto Taslam and ASS Tambunan.<\/p>\n
Economist Sri-Edi Swasono and Hartati Murdaya from the
\nInterest Group faction also will present their views on the
\namendments.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/members-doubt-constitutional-commission-works-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}