Team to amend Constitution facing contentious factions<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The issue of nonelected seats for the
\nmilitary\/police at the People's Consultative Assembly and direct
\npresidential elections quickly became contentious issues as an ad
\nhoc committee began proceedings on Constitutional amendment on
\nMonday.<\/p>\n
Representatives of the Indonesian Military(TNI)\/Police faction
\nin the Assembly's ad hoc committee got little support when they
\nproposed that the Assembly, the highest institution in the
\ncountry, be comprised of elected legislators and regional
\nrepresentatives along with allocated seats for the
\nMilitary\/Police.<\/p>\n
Only one of the other nine factions represented in the
\nAssembly, the small Unity and Nationality Faction (FKKI),
\nexpressed support for the proposal.<\/p>\n
The other eight factions said the Assembly should only
\ncomprise elected legislators from the House of Representatives
\nand Regional Representatives.<\/p>\n
"We agreed not to join practical politics in the House but we
\nurge that we be given the opportunity to be involved in the
\nAssembly," TNI's faction spokesman Vice Marshall Hendy Tjaswadi
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Hendy contended that as an important component of the nation
\nwith the same rights and obligations, the Military\/Police should
\nbe involved in deciding strategic problems in the Assembly.<\/p>\n
He argued that such an allotment was necessary because the
\nMilitary\/Police are not represented by political parties.<\/p>\n
"The number of seats depends on the Assembly," he said.<\/p>\n
The 700 seat Assembly comprises 135 regional representatives
\nelected by local councils, 65 representatives from professional
\norganizations and other nongovernment organizations appointed by
\nthe President and the 500 members of the House.<\/p>\n
The House itself comprises 462 legislators elected through the
\ngeneral election and another 38 that are uncontested and
\nallocated to the Military\/Police faction.<\/p>\n
The Military\/Police have traditionally been allocated seats
\nsince they do not vote in the general election.<\/p>\n
There is already a general consensus that the Military\/Police
\nfaction would no longer be allocated seats in the House.<\/p>\n
Despite their arguments, Hendy said on Monday that the
\nMilitary\/Police faction would accept any final decision made by
\nthe Assembly in August on the allocation of seats.<\/p>\n
FKKI's spokesman Antonius Rahail, defending its decision to
\nsupport the allocation of seats for the Military\/Police, said it
\nwas unfair to completely exclude them.<\/p>\n
"They are also Indonesian citizens. They should also have
\nrepresentatives in the Assembly," Antonius said.<\/p>\n
FKKI consists of minor parties such as the Unity and Justice
\nParty, the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) and the United
\nParty.<\/p>\n
Another contentious issue concerns Article 3 concerning the
\nAssembly's authority to appoint the president.<\/p>\n
The Golkar Party, the National Awakening Party, the United
\nDevelopment Party (PPP), the Reform Faction and four other
\nfactions on Monday proposed that the Assembly's power be limited
\nto inaugurating the president and vice president.<\/p>\n
In essence this means an amendment for direct election of the
\npresident and vice president.<\/p>\n
However, the 1999 general election's highest vote getters, the
\nIndonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan),
\nsupported by the Sociatal Group Representatives rejected any
\namendment to Article 3.<\/p>\n
"People are not ready for direct presidential election. We
\nhave to prepare the system first," Valina Subekti of Societal
\nGroup Representatives, said.<\/p>\n
Valina said the direct presidential election, if it was
\napplied arbitrarily, would result in a leader who's only
\ncredential was popularity without quality.<\/p>\n
"Maybe in 2009 people will be ready for direct presidential
\nelections," she said.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan and Societal Group Representatives make up
\nnearly a third of the Assembly. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/team-to-amend-constitution-facing-contentious-factions-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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