Ministers in MPR<\/p>\n
In this current age of reform, politicians are judged by their
\nsensitivity toward efforts to introduce a greater degree of
\ndemocracy in the country.<\/p>\n
In relation to this, there have recently been calls for a more
\ndemocratic system within the People's Consultative Assembly
\n(MPR), the country's highest constitutional body. At issue are
\nthe working practices of the ruling Golkar group -- a group long
\nnotorious for its stubborn reluctance to acquiesce to any calls
\nfor greater democratic freedom. Golkar has been challenged to
\nwithdraw the five serving cabinet ministers in its ranks who sit
\non the assembly's Working Committee. The committee is in charge
\nof preparing the agenda for MPR sessions, and through this
\nresponsibility can exercise control over all major decisions
\ntaken regarding the future of this country.<\/p>\n
The inclusion of the ministers on the committee is nothing
\nshort of interference with the legislative body on the part of
\nthe executive branch of government. By any standards, this turns
\nall democratic values upside down.<\/p>\n
This state of affairs has long existed against the backdrop of
\nSoeharto's authoritarian regime. During his rule, the despot
\nhandpicked the majority of Assembly members. In return, their
\nsole responsibility was to convene in assembly once every five
\nyears to rubber stamp his rule and endorse the government-
\nsponsored State Policy Guidelines.<\/p>\n
Lovers of drama must surely have seen a touch of comic irony
\nin the events which unfolded in May, when Soeharto's loyal band
\nof professional politicians pushed him aside after having
\nreelected him a mere two months earlier. They called their show a
\ndemocracy, but anyway, what is there in a name?<\/p>\n
Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung, who is also Minister\/State
\nSecretary, has said that ministers are still needed on the MPR
\nWorking Committee because many of them are members of Golkar's
\nexecutive board.<\/p>\n
We are sorry that through this demonstration of political
\negotism he has shown himself willing to sacrifice the nation's
\nsystem of governance for the sake of the interests of a single
\ngroup. But to be thankful for small mercies, at least Minister of
\nFood A.M. Saefuddin and Minister of Investment Hamzah Haz see
\nthat the Golkar way of thinking will not be of benefit to the
\nnation. Saefuddin was quoted by Merdeka as saying that the
\npresence of ministers on the MPR Working Committee was anathema
\nto the aspirations of the people, who are united in their desire
\nfor political reform.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin said that it is impossible for a minister who is
\nalso a member of the MPR to censure the head of state, who is, of
\ncourse, the person who appointed he or she to the Cabinet.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin's logic is understandable. If Golkar or any other
\nfaction retain ministers in the MPR, which is set to convene an
\nextraordinary session in November, it will be very difficult to
\ncall the legislative body a democratic institution.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately the two ministers, both of whom commendably
\nresigned from the MPR, are members of the minority United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP). The disarray which broke out in the
\nPPP's ranks following the party's poor performance in the MPR's
\nMarch session makes it difficult for Golkar to follow its example
\non grounds of honor alone.<\/p>\n
But in any case, we would still like to remind the ruling
\ngroup that although there is no rule against a cabinet minister
\nserving in the MPR, every man on the street knows full well that
\nthe division of power among the branches of government is an
\nessential characteristic of every democracy. As is a
\nrepresentation in the MPR that has been elected in its entirety
\nby the people of this country.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ministers-in-mpr-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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