A coalition that works

A coalition that works

From Suara Merdeka

A real coalition between the major proreform parties and those opposed to the status quo is very necessary, both in politics -- to empower the House of Representatives (DPR) and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) -- as well as in the establishment of the government. It can be jointly agreed that the leader of the party gaining the most votes should be appointed president.

The leader of the party obtaining the second highest number of votes should be vice president (but not to be a veep serving as a spare tire only). The third finisher will provide its leader to be the MPR chairperson. The fourth will have its leader appointed the DPR chairperson (MPR and DPR chairs cannot be occupied by the same person).

Cabinet ministers would be selected from members of the coalition party as well as people from outside who are honest, democratic, devout and professionally capable.

Those in the Cabinet should not represent parties but be individuals whose task it is to assist the president and the vice president. They should be prepared to dedicate themselves in the interest of the people, the nation and the state. At the DPR and MPR, the coalition party does not need to establish factions. Only their voice must be unanimous in supporting the government if the matter at hand is true. If the president and the vice president abuse their power, they must be corrected. The coalition party does not consist of mere "yes" men like Golkar during the Soeharto era.

The main task of the coalition party is to design a change in the 1945 Constitution to be submitted to the MPR general session. The Indonesian Military (TNI), including the Police, faction in the DPR/MPR must assume a neutral stance, not side with one of the parties in the election of the president/vice president because they do not represent the people and are not chosen by the people. They are in the DPR/MPR solely to function as a stabilizing factor.

SUHARSONO HADIKUSUMO

Jakarta