Analysts doubt Megawati's commission proposal

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.