Observers disappointed with MPR's Annual Session<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Numerous political observers were disappointed
\nwith the People's Consultative Assembly's (MPR) 10-day Annual
\nSession which concluded on Friday, saying it paid more attention
\nto power bargaining than the economic crisis afflicting the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
Arbi Sanit, a political expert from the University of
\nIndonesia, told The Jakarta Post by phone that he was not
\nimpressed with the Annual Session because it looked like an arena
\nof power bargaining among the political parties.<\/p>\n
\"I'm very disappointed with the Annual Session and its
\nresults,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said during the Annual Session, there were too many
\ncompromises among the factions. They were trying to discredit
\neach other instead of looking for solutions to the economic
\nproblems hurting the country.<\/p>\n
He said the Assembly's results and possible impact to people's
\nlives did not equal the high cost paid to finance the Annual
\nSession.<\/p>\n
\"It was too costly for the results it yielded. And the
\nAssembly should be pressed to be more productive in the next
\nAnnual Sessions,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Annual Session absorbed some Rp 25.7 billion (US$3
\nmillion) and nearly half of it was used to cover hotel expenses
\nfor its 700 members.<\/p>\n
Arbi also criticized the Assembly for not giving enough
\nattention to the reform agenda, especially for a direct
\npresidential election and a two-house legislative system.<\/p>\n
\"The Assembly's failure to adopt the direct presidential
\nelection system and to accept the presence of a regional
\nrepresentative faction is an indication that factions and
\nlegislators are interested in their own political interests and
\nare ignoring people's economic hardships,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Factions should be involved in lobbies and political
\nbargaining but it should be done for the people, not for their
\nparties or power, he added.<\/p>\n
Arbi also questioned the Assembly's ignorance of people's
\ngrievances in Aceh, Maluku, North Maluku and Irian Jaya.<\/p>\n
\"There are serious problems in the provinces where locals are
\nkilling each other and are no longer confident in the government
\nand I did not see any recommendations being made during the
\nAnnual Session to solve the problems,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Johannes Kristiadi, the deputy director of the Centre for
\nStrategic and International Studies (CSIS), concurred and said
\nthe Assembly was pressed to be hasty and not professional in
\namending the Constitution.<\/p>\n
\"To me, the amending of the Constitution was conducted hastily
\nand the Assembly looked unprofessional and this could be seen
\nfrom the overwhelming flow of protest and criticisms fired at the
\nAssembly during the Annual Session,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He suggested the Assembly set up an independent expert team to
\nhelp amend the Constitution so that the amendment process was
\nfree from short-term political interests.<\/p>\n
\"The Assembly could not hastily amend the Constitution to
\navoid an annual amendment to it. An expert team is also needed
\nbecause most members of the Assembly lack skill and expertise in
\nconstitutional discipline,\" he said, citing for example the
\nsudden change in the definition of Indonesia's territory.<\/p>\n
Kristiadi also regretted the Assembly's political compromise
\nin maintaining the military\/police faction's presence in the
\nhighest legislative body until 2009.<\/p>\n
\"I'm sure the decision didn't come from military headquarters,
\nbut from political guerrillas or civilian politicians who staged
\nan all-out battle for power,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Overall, Kristiadi questioned the necessity of having such a
\nsession annually as it overlaps with the House of
\nRepresentatives' function in controlling the government.<\/p>\n
Political activist Mulyana W. Kusumah also criticized the
\nvarious amendments saying that many articles sounded similar to
\nlaws.<\/p>\n
\"The Constitution should contain substantial or fundamental
\nthings necessary for the state system and democracy, while the
\ndetails should be made into law. With the current amendment, the
\nAssembly is trying to write everything in detail in the
\nConstitution,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He also said the decree regulating the delegation of duty from
\nthe President to the Vice President was a constitutional coup
\nbecause it meant the Assembly could interfere in the executive's
\ninternal affairs.<\/p>\n
Andi A. Mallarangeng, an expert staff member of the state
\nminister for regional autonomy, said the Assembly failed to make
\na policy on regional administration in line with the planned
\nimplementation of regional autonomy.<\/p>\n
\"The Assembly should adopt the proposed direct presidential
\nelection because it is in line with regional autonomy. If not,
\nthe Assembly should recommend a direct governor and regent
\nelection,\" he said. (rms\/nvn)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/observers-disappointed-with-mprs-annual-session-1447893297",
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