Synchronize changes in Constitution, add commission: Experts<\/p>\n
Ati Nurbaiti and Sri Wahyuni, The Jakarta Post, Yogyakarta<\/p>\n
Scholars attending a workshop here recommended on Tuesday that
\nthe next annual session of the People's Consultative Assembly
\nshould focus on just two points: ensuring that the previous three
\namendments do not contradict each other and stipulating that
\namendments are done by an independent constitution commission.<\/p>\n
The head of the workshop's commission in charge of the
\namendment process, J. Kristiadi, told participants that the
\nAssembly should only \"synchronize and make systematic\" the first,
\nsecond and third amendments to the 1945 Constitution.<\/p>\n
The implication, according to Ichlasul Amal, head of the
\nalumni body of Gadjah Mada University, which organized the event,
\nis that the current fourth amendment should be aborted, given
\nwidening public resistance.<\/p>\n
Most criticism has included charges that the fourth amendment
\nis based on short-term political interests and that it is
\n\"elitist\".<\/p>\n
The amendments \"have not been based on basic thoughts on a
\nvision of the Constitution as a social contract, which has
\nresulted in a Constitution which is incomprehensive, overlapping
\nand not cohesive\", Kristiadi said.<\/p>\n
Kristiadi, a political scientist of the Jakarta-based Centre
\nfor Strategic and International Relations, added that a
\nconstitution commission should be established and given a full
\nmandate to formulate a constitution within a year, involving
\npublic participation.<\/p>\n
He was addressing the plenary session of the workshop, which
\nfollowed Monday's seminar on a critical evaluation on the
\nprocess, and results of the amendment.<\/p>\n
Political scientist Mochtar Pabottingi of the National
\nInstitute of Sciences was on the commission focusing on improving
\nthe draft Constitution, and historian Anhar Gonggong headed
\nanother commission evaluating the amendments.<\/p>\n
Recommendations will be presented on Wednesday to President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri, who is scheduled to close the event.
\nStudents plan to demonstration against the presentation of the
\nresults to the President, who also chairs the Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), the biggest
\npolitical party in the legislature that has expressed reluctance
\nto change the Constitution.<\/p>\n
\"Do not sell the campus,\" a statement signed by Abdul Aziz,
\nsecretary-general of Gadjah Mada University's student
\norganization Keluarga Mahasiswa, said.<\/p>\n
\"It doesn't take a genius to understand the logic\" that the
\nsincere efforts of the participants should not be given to
\nMegawati, he added.<\/p>\n
Ichlasul and other scholars reiterated earlier suggestions
\nthat the most crucial amendment should be on direct presidential
\nelections.<\/p>\n
To overcome the current controversy of having the Assembly
\nchoose a president if a majority of 50 percent plus one is not
\nachieved in presidential elections, he said there should be only
\none round of a presidential election by the public. \"Whoever wins
\nshould become president,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Presidential elections should not be held in the same year as
\nthe elections for local and national legislators, he said.<\/p>\n
Regarding the independent constitution commission, some hope
\nthe commission can be established by 2004 at the latest, while
\nothers still hope that it could be realized following the Annual
\nSession in August.<\/p>\n
\"Many countries such as Thailand and South Africa have carried
\nout this system involving experts in various fields,\" legal
\nexpert Koesnadi Hardjasoemantri said.<\/p>\n
Experts such as Bambang Wijayanto, Denny Indrayana and J.
\nKristiadi had on Monday referred to the experience of 153
\ncountries where public pressure had led to a constitutional
\noverhaul, mainly in the 1990s.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, scholars and activists in an NGO coalition focusing
\non the Constitution are continuing their work on drafting a new
\nconstitution. Coalition members said they hope to significantly
\ninfluence the process ahead of the August Annual Session, and
\nthat there were encouraging signs from members of the
\nlegislature's committee in charge of the amendment (PAH I).<\/p>\n
\"Pak Jacob (Tobing) and Slamet (Effendi Yusuf) have said they
\nwould welcome our draft and also an independent commission,
\nespecially since they realize they do not have the necessary
\nexpertise (to draw up a constitution),\" one of the scholars who
\nrequired anonymity said. He was referring to the committee's
\nchairman and deputy.<\/p>\n
It would be impossible to pin hopes on a committee,
\nparticularly given PDI Perjuangan's reluctance to introduce
\ndirect presidential elections, he said.<\/p>\n
The newly expanded NGO coalition is also stepping up campaigns
\nfor an independent constitution commission.<\/p>",
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