Observers give thumbs down to new commission<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Observers have warned the public not to be overly optimistic
\nabout the newly established Constitutional Commission, saying
\nthat the final say was still in the hands of the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR).<\/p>\n
The MPR set up the long-awaited Constitutional Commission on
\nTuesday to harmonize the amendments that have been made to the
\n1945 Constitution, which, according to some analysts, are loaded
\nwith compromises designed to favor the short-term political
\ninterests of certain groups.<\/p>\n
The commission, which has 31 members, will have seven months
\nto work on the Constitution.<\/p>\n
However, as stipulated in the Constitution, their assessment
\nwill serve as a second opinion only, with MPR members still
\nhaving the final say.<\/p>\n
Hadar N. Gumay of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro) and
\nMarwan Mas from the Makassar-based 1945 University also noted the
\nselection of some figures known previously to be opposed to the
\namendments, warning that their presence could jeopardize the
\nharmonization efforts.<\/p>\n
They declined to give any names.<\/p>\n
According to Hadar, only about one-third of the 31 members of
\nthe Constitutional Commission have the necessary qualifications.<\/p>\n
\"If they are influential, the result of the assessment will be
\nexcellent. But, I am afraid the other, less-qualified figures
\nwill dominate the discussions,\" he told The Jakarta Post on
\nTuesday.<\/p>\n
Marwan concurred with Hadar, and added that the public would
\nquestion the commission's credibility if its members started
\narguing the pros and cons of the amendments once again.<\/p>\n
Bambang Widjojanto from the Partnership for Government Reform
\nsaid meanwhile that the commission would not answer the problems
\nfaced by the public.<\/p>\n
\"It has been clear from the beginning that the Constitutional
\nCommission won't change anything,\" he said.<\/p>\n
MPR speaker Amien Rais said that the commission's assessment
\nwould not be binding but pledged to use its findings to improve
\nthe newly amended Constitution.<\/p>\n
\"But, we hope the results will be good and Assembly members
\nwill accept the outcome,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The commission will start its work on Wednesday with the
\nselection of the chair and deputy chairs.<\/p>\n
Commission member Maria Farida Indrati said the commission
\nwould focus on ironing out various inconsistencies in the
\nConstitution.<\/p>\n
For example, Maria said that Article 20 (5) of the amended
\nconstitution urgently need revision.<\/p>\n
Article 20 (5) says that a bill that has been approved by the
\nHouse will automatically enter into effect within 30 days if the
\npresidential consent is withheld.<\/p>\n
She emphasized that every law must be consented to by the
\nPresident as it is the President who is held accountable for the
\nimplementation of laws.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/observers-give-thumbs-down-to-new-commission-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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