Observer doubts MPR strength<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Any demand for political reform will likely not
\ncome from the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), which will be
\ninstalled on Oct. 1, a political observer said yesterday.<\/p>\n
J. Kristiadi of the Centre for Strategic and International
\nStudies said he doubted the independence of MPR members given the
\nway most of them were recruited.<\/p>\n
They could hardly be called representatives of the people, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
President Soeharto endorsed last week the names of 1,000
\nmembers of MPR.<\/p>\n
Only 425 of them were directly elected through the general
\nelection in May, which was won by Golkar. The remaining 525 were
\nselected by virtue of their positions, such as politicians,
\nmilitary officers, civil servants, regional leaders and public
\nfigures from all walks of life and professions.<\/p>\n
With some prominent public figures excluded, such as Amien
\nRais and Abdurrahman Wahid -- who are known for their criticisms
\nof the government -- many analysts questioned the effectiveness
\nof the new MPR in fostering meaningful political change.<\/p>\n
MPR members will be sworn in on Oct. 1. They will gather in
\nMarch to elect the country's president and vice president and
\nendorse the State Policy Guidelines for the next five years.<\/p>\n
Kristiadi said that with MPR's ability in doubt, the
\ninitiative for political change would probably come from non-
\ngovernmental organizations.<\/p>\n
He said given their solid network, NGOs could become the
\nalternative through which people voice their aspirations.<\/p>\n
However, he said NGOs should have a clearer vision and
\nobjective if they were to play a more effective role.<\/p>\n
Didin S. Damanhuri of the Center for Information and
\nDevelopment Studies said he hoped some individual
\nMPR members would speak out at their March meeting.<\/p>\n
\"I believe they will highlight problems like political
\naccountability, MPR and DPR empowerment and many others,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said NGOs could play a greater role in educating people
\npolitically. But, he warned, NGOs should not use the opportunity
\nto provoke the people against the government. (10)<\/p>",
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