Time running out for constitutional reforms<\/p>\n
Kurniawan Hari and Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak, The Jakarta Post,
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
Legislators on Commission A for constitutional amendments
\ncontinued deliberating on Monday the crucial issue on the
\ncomposition of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), with all
\nfactions but the Interest Groups faction (FUG) agreeing to scrap
\nthe 60-strong FUG from the Assembly.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Golkar chairman Akbar Tandjung defended the
\nexistence of the Indonesian Military\/National Police (TNI\/Polri)
\nfaction, saying there was still the possibility the military and
\npolice could remain in the Assembly through an auxiliary
\nregulation in the constitutional amendment.<\/p>\n
\"We once agreed to allow the TNI\/Polri faction to remain (in
\nthe MPR) until 2009. We need to review our agreement,\" he said
\nfollowing the session, adding that Golkar wanted TNI\/Polri in the
\nAssembly until 2009.<\/p>\n
However, Akbar said legislators should consult with the MPR
\nand the people on the issue.<\/p>\n
The chairman of the TNI\/Polri faction, Slamet Supriyadi,
\nstressed that the military and police were prepared to abandon
\npolitics and leave the House of Representatives and the MPR.<\/p>\n
Slamet warned civilian politicians against dragging TNI\/Polri
\nback into politics, saying the military was committed to
\nreturning to its basic function as a defense force.<\/p>\n
The scrapping of the Interest Groups faction, whose members
\nare all appointed, is a consequence of the adoption of a
\nbicameral system as set out in the third constitutional amendment
\nlast year.<\/p>\n
The decision was a step forward toward the smooth finalization
\nof the fourth amendment. The commission began the deliberations
\non Sunday, but the process was stalled by a number of legislators
\ninterrupting the session.<\/p>\n
Among the issues raised by legislators on Sunday was the very
\nexistence and authority of the MPR itself.<\/p>\n
On the second day of meetings on Monday, several Indonesian
\nDemocratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) legislators -- Amin
\nAryoso, Sukono, Suwignyo, Ramson Siagian and Haryanto Taslam --
\nagain questioned the authority of the MPR to carry out
\nconstitutional amendments. They also pressed for the
\nestablishment of a constitutional commission to take over the
\nresponsibility of amending the Constitution from the Assembly.<\/p>\n
One of the reasons given for the need to establish the
\ncommission was the uncertainty surrounding the status of the MPR.
\nThe \"antiamendment\" camp argues that the MPR has no legal basis
\nto hold its Annual Session, let alone to amend the Constitution.<\/p>\n
The MPR's uncertain status is the consequence of chapters VII
\nand VIIA of the second amendment, which state the MPR is no
\nlonger the supreme lawmaking body in the country.<\/p>\n
In place of the Annual Session, the \"antiamendment\" camp says,
\nshould be a joint session of the House of Representatives (DPR)
\nand the Regional Representatives Council (DPD). The two chapters
\nof the second amendment give the authority to amend the
\nConstitution to the joint session.<\/p>\n
However, the third amendment says that the Assembly is still
\nthe sole authority for amending and passing the Constitution.
\nBased on the third amendment, the MPR insists it has the
\nauthority to form a constitutional commission and place it under
\nits jurisdiction.<\/p>\n
While the MPR's existence is in question, the new DPR and DPD
\nare yet to be elected. To make matters more complicated, there is
\nno regulation that gives the MPR the temporary authority to
\nconvene and amend the Constitution pending the establishment of a
\nnew DPR and DPD.<\/p>\n
Although Monday's deliberations were relatively peaceful,
\nseveral legislators expressed fear that the time left them would
\nbe insufficient to complete the discussion of other crucial
\nmatters.<\/p>\n
Commission A chairman JaKob Tobing expressed concern that the
\nallotted time would not be enough.<\/p>\n
\"There are still many issues to discuss, therefore we have to
\ncontinue the deliberations into the night. But I still think that
\nwon't be enough,\" Jakob said during a plenary meeting of
\nCommission A.<\/p>\n
According to the schedule issued by the Assembly Secretariat,
\nthere are only two days left, Tuesday and Wednesday, for
\nCommission A to deliberate several crucial issues, including six
\narticles of the Constitution.<\/p>\n
Jakob said the commission would save time by limiting the
\nnumber of legislators allowed to voice opinions during
\ndiscussions.<\/p>\n
The commission was set to finish deliberation of the substance
\nof the amendments on Sunday, but failed to do so due to a barrage
\nof protests from PDI Perjuangan legislators on Jacob's nomination
\nas chairman of the commission.<\/p>\n
Jakob was eventually appointed commission chairman following
\nintense lobbying, but a number of PDI Perjuangan legislators
\ncontinued to interrupt the session.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan legislator Imam Mundjiat denied accusations
\nthat the interruptions were aimed at bringing the session to a
\ndeadlock.<\/p>\n
He said they were only trying to educate the public about how
\nthe people should respond to the amendment process.<\/p>\n
Imam added that the maneuvering of his group had been approved
\nby party chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
\"Pak Imam, if you have a proposition or an idea, you must come
\nup with a concept. Don't confuse the people,\" Imam said, quoting
\nMegawati.<\/p>\n
But he denied that Megawati was opposed to constitutional
\nreform.<\/p>\n
There is apprehension among the public about the possibility
\nof a deadlock in the constitutional reform process. If
\nlegislators fail to reach a decision on the fourth phase of the
\namendment process this year, preparations for the 2004 general
\nelection would be disrupted.<\/p>\n
Deliberation of three political bills in the House of
\nRepresentatives has been delayed pending the endorsement of the
\nfourth amendment to the 1945 Constitution. A deadlock in the
\namendment process will stall the passage of the political bills
\nand slow the reform process.<\/p>\n
As a consequence, the nation would have to wait for a more
\ndemocratic political system, since a deadlock would mean a return
\nto the 1945 Constitution, which is considered authoritarian.<\/p>",
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