Analysts doubt Megawati's commission proposal
Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Analysts have expressed doubt over President Megawati Soekarnoputri's proposal for a constitutional commission, saying it was nothing more than a blatant effort to win public support.
They also found it hard to believe that Megawati was serious given the fact that the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), which she chairs, was reluctant to proceed with the constitutional amendment process.
"She (Megawati) is just trying to win sympathy. I believe this is related to the general election in 2004," said Smita Notosusanto, executive director of the Center for Electoral Reform (Cetro), here on Thursday.
Political observer Syamsuddin Haris agreed with Smita, saying that Megawati's stance contradicted the PDI Perjuangan's moves over the last couple of months.
Megawati made media headlines when she told legislators last year that a constitutional commission was required to continue the constitutional amendment process, which had been thus far been the responsibility of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)'s ad hoc constitutional amendment committee.
Instead of attempting to follow up on the suggestion, the PDI Perjuangan faction killed off the idea by proposing a concept that totally ignored the wishes of the public.
At a ceremony marking the closing of a workshop organized by Gadjah Mada University (UGM) alumni in Yogyakarta on Wednesday, the enigmatic President repeated her idea.
Megawati said that the country was in need of a body comprising members with expertise, wisdom, and experience to paint the big picture as regards amending the Constitution.
The President continued by saying that the work of such a body should include studies on which parts of the Constitution needed amending, the direction and goals of the amendments, the consequences of the amendments and the formulation of the amendments.
Smita, also a lecturer in politics with the Jakarta-based University of Indonesia, refused to welcome Megawati's idea, adding that it was entirely different to the concept offered by Cetro.
"That (Megawati's concept) is much more conservative," Smita told The Jakarta Post.
According to Smita, under the concept drafted by Cetro, the constitutional commission would consist of figures from the regions in addition to experts and scholars from Jakarta.
The Cetro concept also recommends a total overhaul of the 1945 Constitution.
Smita suspected that the repetition of the idea was part of Megawati's political bargaining strategy. She refused to comment further saying that the current position of the political parties was subject to change.
Syamsuddin, a researcher with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), said he fully supported the idea of allowing an independent constitutional commission to take over from the Assembly's ad hoc committee, which was prone to backroom deals.
However, Syamsuddin rejected the idea of jettisoning the current amendment process and promulgating a brand new constitution, saying that this would only spark more resistance.
"Increasing resistance from the conservatives will only serve as an excuse for reviving the original version of the 1945 Constitution," Syamsuddin told the Post.
The leaders of some big parties have all opposed the establishment of an independent constitutional commission, claiming that the MPR has proven competence in the field.
A constitutional commission would only be feasible if the fourth series of amendments to the Constitution became bogged down, they said.