Appointment of regional representatives queried

JAKARTA (JP): Regional representatives to the People's Consultative Assembly should be directly elected by the people instead of being selected by the provincial legislatures, a political lecturer has said.

Ichlasul Amal, rector of the Yogyakarta-based Gadjah Mada University, said that electing the 135 regional representatives, and also 65 interest group representatives, by direct ballots would be "fair and democratic" and would ensure their commitment to working for public aspirations.

"All villages should propose their candidates, who would be selected at subdistrict and regency levels," Ichlasul said in a discussion on the presidency at the House of Representatives on Wednesday.

This would ensure their accountability, he said.

"In the next elections, the MPR regional representatives should be directly elected by the people," he said.

The 200 representatives will sit in the 700-member People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) and vote in the presidential election, the main item on the agenda of the Assembly's General Session this November.

Ichlasul said that the appointment of the regional and interest group representatives, as stipulated by the 1999 law on the structure of the House, MPR and provincial and regional legislatures was "against democracy".

During the deliberation of the law last year, legislators sought to break away from the past practice of having the 200 representatives picked by the ruling party and particularly former president Soeharto.

Interest group representatives, for example, included youth and professional organizations affiliated with Golkar. Governors, many of them military members, automatically became regional representatives. Other appointees included several military commanders, while military officers were also included as interest group members representing the armed forces.

Among the main changes made to the law on the composition of the MPR regarding regional and interest group representatives was that they be appointed by the provincial legislative councils. Meanwhile interest group representatives are proposed through respective groups to the House of Representatives.

"Being appointed, their (representatives') accountability cannot be guaranteed," Ichlasul said.

Ichlasul explained that the Constitution was vague regarding the representatives.

"The 1945 Constitution stipulates MPR members comprise all House members, regional representatives and interest group representatives, but it does not explain whether the two groups' members should be appointed or elected," he said.

He said that the appointment of interest group representatives has always been unclear.

Legislators have agreed that for the upcoming session, all interest groups would select their own members, who would then be approved by the General Elections Commission.

"Which groups in society should be included in the interest groups? To me, all societal groups, including ulema, women, the disabled and business circles, could channel their aspirations through the existing political parties," he said.

Demands have been made for amendments to the 1945 Constitution, once a taboo subject, including the makeup of the MPR, the presidency and other subjects.

The General Elections Commission, stipulated by law to set the criteria for the interest groups for the 1999-2004 period, has stated there would be 10 interest groups represented. Members would include representatives of professionals, women, various religions and the business community, the disabled and scholars.

Ichlasul, who is a lecturer of politics at Gadjah Mada, called on the next General Session of the MPR to review the function of the highest legislative body itself.

He said the function of the MPR lacked a legal basis in the constitution, which only said the MPR was a reflection of the people.

The constitution would need to mention whether the parliament system uses the one chamber or two chamber system, Ichlasul said.

"If we use the two chamber system the MPR should change its function to that of a congress like that in the United States. With such a system, both the MPR and the House would function democratically," he said.

Ichlasul also expressed his deep concern over the low educational background of most legislative candidates, saying this would be a serious hurdle to doing their job in the legislative body.

"Future legislators should be proactive and frequently visit science centers, such as universities and research centers, to improve their skills and knowledge," he said in Yogyakarta on Tuesday.

In Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi, constitutional law expert Andi Mappajantji Amin said the constitution should clearly limit the presidential term of office and stipulate a direct presidential election.(rms/swa/27)