MPR questions advisory council's relevance<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A People's Consultative Assembly working
\ncommittee on constitutional amendments questioned the relevance
\nof the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) because of its poor image
\nin the past.<\/p>\n
In a meeting with council members, committee member Valina
\nSingha said DPA, a state institution which offers advice to the
\nPresident, had been the subject of much public scrutiny.<\/p>\n
\"DPA's image has been badly tarnished because it has been used
\nas a tool to support the government's policies and decisions.
\nAspirations developing among people and the administration are
\nthat the DPA should be dissolved,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The working committee, which is deliberating draft changes to
\nthe 1945 Constitution, is expected to make its final
\nrecommendation by August.<\/p>\n
Several members of the committee also questioned DPA's current
\nlineup because in accordance with the law they should have been
\nreplaced in November when former president B.J. Habibie was
\nreplaced by President Abdurrahman Wahid.<\/p>\n
Patrialis Akbar, a committee member from the National Mandate
\nParty (PAN), said DPA's present members, who were sworn in in
\nJune 1998 with Habibie's presidential decree, were no longer
\nlegitimate because they were under Habibie's administration.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, they are not the best individuals to represent
\ngroups in society,\" he said.<\/p>\n
DPA chairman Achmad Tirtosudiro calmly responded to the strong
\ncriticisms saying that he would carefully consider them to
\nimprove the council's performance.<\/p>\n
However, he said the work of the council depends on how the
\nPresident deals and seeks advice from the council members.<\/p>\n
\"President Abdurrahman Wahid has yet to make contact with the
\ncouncil, while on the other hand, former president Habibie often
\nasked our advice and insight during his time,\" he said.<\/p>\n
DPA deputy chairman Yusuf Syakir conceded that the council
\ncould not do more than its stipulated task of giving advice to
\nthe President.<\/p>\n
\"According to law, DPA members can't do much other than its
\nmain task of giving advice to the President without any certainty
\nthat the President will listen to it,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said whether or not the council is needed depends entirely
\non the Assembly.<\/p>\n
\"DPA's existence depends on the Assembly. We would have no
\nobjection if the council is dissolved or its current members are
\nreplaced. If the council continues, the Assembly could empower
\nthe council by asking the House to revise the law,\" he said.
\n(rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mpr-questions-advisory-councils-relevance-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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