Political scientists offer draft for dynamic reform<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A group of political scientists warned yesterday
\nthe reform process should not be restricted to a changing of the
\npolitical guard, but also effect a dynamic political system
\ncapable of \"self-reform\".<\/p>\n
In a hearing with the Armed Forces faction of the House of
\nRepresentatives here, political scientists grouped in the
\nInstitute for Policy and Community Development Studies (IPCOS)
\npresented a 46-page paper, The National Politics Reform: A Vision
\nForward and System Building, proposing concrete measures.<\/p>\n
\"Political reform must not be perceived as only the
\nreplacement of personnel within political systems, but must be
\nunderstood as a process toward the changing of spirit, way of
\nthinking, attitude and the structure and system of the state's
\nadministration,\" they said in the paper.<\/p>\n
They argued that the country would be doomed to repeat its
\npolitical mistakes unless the measures were taken.<\/p>\n
\"All of us don't want to experience the same situation that we
\nare in now in the next coming 30 years, do we?\" Johan O.
\nMenajang, the institute's director, said.<\/p>\n
Menajang -- with his five colleagues Rachmad Bahari, Benjuino
\nTM, Rachmat Prakoso, Johannes Fernandes and Benny Subianto -- met
\nwith the faction's deputy chairman Maj. Gen. Mansyur and five
\nother members.<\/p>\n
The paper was divided into three sections on the major
\ndirections and parameters of political reform, the substance and
\nagenda of reform and its management.<\/p>\n
The institute said political reform should aim at restoring
\nthe people's sovereignty and supremacy of law.<\/p>\n
It recommended a 12-point substance and reform agenda which
\nincluded comprehensive suggestions on how to empower the People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) and the House of Representatives
\n(DPR).<\/p>\n
These included allowing individual legislators to make their
\nown decisions without being dependent on their factions and
\nrevoking a faction's right to recall their legislators, thus
\nallowing lawmakers to be more outspoken.<\/p>\n
IPCOS advocated improvements in the electoral system, the
\nelectoral administration, the party system, the structure and
\nposition of the provincial legislature and of the DPR and MPR.<\/p>\n
\"The provincial legislature position and structure put under
\nthe provincial administration must be reformed and be given
\nparity to allow it to control the administration effectively,\"
\nMenajang said.<\/p>\n
IPCOS also said freedom of expression and participation in the
\npolitical process should be encouraged.<\/p>\n
It suggested that Law No. 11\/1963 on subversion be abolished,
\nand replaced with a new law on national security with a clear
\ndefinition on what constitutes \"endangering the state\".<\/p>\n
It also called for an antidiscrimination law in which every
\ncitizen would be guaranteed individual rights by the state
\nregardless of ethnicity, religion or gender.<\/p>\n
The political scientists also noted that political reform must
\noccur concurrently with improvements in other areas, including
\neconomic, legal, sociocultural and moral-intellectual awareness.<\/p>\n
Maj. Gen. Mansyur praised the proposal as comprehensive and
\nconcrete. He requested the institute also devise reform agendas
\non the other areas for the faction. (aan)<\/p>",
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