Observers slam DPA as 'useless'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Two prominent political observers slammed
\nSaturday's installation of new members of the Supreme Advisory
\nBoard (DPA) as a \"waste\", saying that it had become an
\ninsignificant institution.<\/p>\n
Constitutional law expert Harun Al Rasyid and political
\nobserver Arbi Sanit -- both lecturers at the University of
\nIndonesia -- agreed that the body had played no significant role
\nfor several years.<\/p>\n
According to the 1945 Constitution, the Council is supposed to
\nadvise the president, either on their own initiative or when
\nasked.<\/p>\n
However in practice, few have either heard or seen the council
\nat work.<\/p>\n
\"Frankly speaking, its's a waste... So it's useless to
\nestablish one,\" Harun remarked of the council.<\/p>\n
He argued that the Council had nothing to do and acknowledged
\nthe perception that it had become a final resting ground for
\nformer high-ranking officials.<\/p>\n
Harun also pointed out that there was really no need for the
\ncash-strapped government to finance the body.<\/p>\n
Expenses allocated for the Council would be better off spent
\nhelping people cope with the worsening economic crisis, Harun
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Arbi told The Jakarta Post yesterday that he agreed with
\nHarun, pointing out that in earnest the advisory role which
\nshould be played by the council, has been made redundant
\nfollowing the establishment of other government bodies like the
\nNational Defense and Security Council (Wanhankamnas).<\/p>\n
In addition to that, public seminars and research groups were
\nmaking a greater impact on various issues.<\/p>\n
\"The DPA's role is redundant,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Arbi was also critical of the composition of the new council,
\nsaying the choices reflects President B.J. Habibie's reputation
\nfor being \"his predecessor's man\".<\/p>\n
\"It would be different if Habibie had recruited proreform
\nindividuals into the council instead of just a bunch of
\nsupporters of former president Soeharto,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Among the 45 new DPA members sworn into for the 1998\/2003
\ntenure Saturday were former ministers Azwar Anas and Moh. Yogie
\nSM, and the government-backed chairman of the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party (PDI) Soerjadi.<\/p>\n
\"They are Soeharto's men, not critical of the government...
\nMy conclusion is that Habibie has just shown another sign that he
\nis Soeharto's man,\" Arbi said.<\/p>\n
Habibie could have used the opportunity when appointing new
\ncouncil members to show that he was totally separated from his
\npredecessor and that he was a \"proactive\" leader, he said.<\/p>\n
\"But, now it's too late... He is still hegemonized by
\nSoeharto,\" said.<\/p>\n
The council members were selected from a list of 90 nominees
\nwhich was submitted by the House of Representatives in April and
\nmust include representatives from Golkar, the PDI, the United
\nDevelopment Party and the Armed Forces and leading sociopolitical
\ngroups.<\/p>\n
Also sworn in Saturday were A.A. Baramuli, Abdul Hamid
\nBaidowi, Achmad Tirtosudiro, H. Achmadi, Agus Sudono, Ahmad
\nBagdja, AMW Pranarka, A. Sulasikin Murpratomo, Aziddin, Ch. M.
\nMuas, Chalid Mawardi, Darussamin, Eddie Nalapraya, Fadoli El
\nMuhir, Gafur Khalik, Hasan Basri, Ismael Hassan, Izaac Hindom,
\nJusuf Syakir, Kafrawi Ridwan, Mario Viegas Carrascalao, M. Ilyas
\nRuhiyat, Yusuf Hasyim, Pamudji R. Sutopo, Putu Sukreta Suranta,
\nR. Soedaryanto, Ramli Nurhapi, Siti Hartati Murdaya, Soeprapto,
\nSoetedjo, Soelarso Sopater, Sukardi, Suparman Achmad, Suryatna
\nSoebrata, Sutrisno Muchdam, Syafii Ma'arif, Tarub, Warno Hardjo,
\nYahya Theo, Yasir Hadibroto, Yudo Paripurno and Yunus Yahya.<\/p>\n
Their appointments were mandated by Presidential Decree No.
\n140\/M\/1998. (aan)<\/p>",
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