Scholars support call for constitutional commission<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Scholars from various groups leant support for widespread
\ndemands for an independent commission to amend the 1945
\nConstitution on Thursday, saying the amendments currently being
\nconsidered by legislators ignore people's wishes.<\/p>\n
One of the scholars, Tommi Legowo of the Centre for Strategic
\nand International Studies (CSIS), criticized People's
\nConsultative Assembly (MPR) legislators for allocating only 27
\nout of 136 effective days to accommodate the public's aspirations
\nuntil they complete the fourth amendment this August.<\/p>\n
In comparison, Tommi added, the legislators will hold a 49-
\nday (36 percent) series of sessions between themselves, including
\nclosed-door lobbying.<\/p>\n
\"It is very likely that the amendment process will go against
\npeople's aspirations because most of the deliberation will be
\ndone secretly,\" Tommi said at a hearing with members of the
\nAssembly's ad hoc committee for constitutional amendments.<\/p>\n
The third amendment last year was marked by closed-door
\nlobbying, sparking allegations that the final results carried
\npolitical interests of each faction in the Assembly.<\/p>\n
Unanimous support for a direct presidential election last
\nyear, for example, was hailed by many as a breakthrough in the
\ncountry's political system. The Assembly, however, failed to
\nagree on a proposal to hold a second-round vote if no
\npresidential and vice presidential candidates managed to obtain a
\nmajority vote.<\/p>\n
Tommi maintained that an amendment process that involved
\npolitical struggle would not result in the creation of a
\nconstitution that belonged to all people.<\/p>\n
Legislator Harun Kamil, who presided over the hearing, quickly
\nclarified, saying that the time frame for the fourth amendment
\nshould not be stringently adhered to.<\/p>\n
\"In fact, we will allow and welcome any delegations who want
\nto articulate their aspirations,\" he said.<\/p>\n
After finishing a series of hearings with various societal
\ngroups, mainly from Jakarta and neighboring towns, on March 5,
\nmembers of the Assembly ad hoc committee will tour other towns
\nacross the country between March 6 through March 10.<\/p>\n
During the five-day trip, the legislators will visit
\nuniversities in Medan (North Sumatra), Palembang (South Sumatra),
\nBandung (West Java), Semarang (Central Java), Surabaya (East
\nJava), Makassar (South Sulawesi), Banjarmasin (South Kalimantan)
\nand Bali.<\/p>\n
The visit aims at collecting suggestions from people
\nthroughout the country. The aspirations of the people will be
\ndeliberated in a series of closed-door meetings before possible
\nendorsement at the Assembly's Annual Session in August.<\/p>\n
Fellow scholar Anton Djawamaku meanwhile reminded that a
\nconstitution was a social contract between the state and its
\ncitizens.<\/p>\n
\"Under the contract, the citizens voluntarily give up some of
\ntheir rights and respect state regulations. On the other hand,
\nthe state has to respect the rights of its citizens and be
\nprepared for checks and balances.<\/p>\n
\"It is very relevant that amendment of the Constitution be
\noffered to an independent commission that will accommodate all
\nelements in society,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Adi Sasono and Umar Juoro of the Center for Information and
\nDevelopment Studies (Cides) and scholars from the Center for
\nInformation of National Policy Studies (Cinaps) were also present
\nat the hearing. They urged legislators to make people's welfare
\nthe top priority in their deliberation of constitutional
\namendments.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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