Christian students are calling for political reform
Christian students are calling for political reform
JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Christian Students Movement is
calling for political reform to allow public participation in
both political and economic activities.
The movement says the changes in the political system must be
introduced in phases to avoid upheavals that could bring
undesired consequences.
The proposal made available to the press yesterday was only
one of the recommendations issued at the conclusion of the
movement's latest national congress in Ciawi, 60 kilometers south
of here. The congress lasted from Feb. 9 to Feb. 15.
Various political experts and activists addressed the week-
long congress that brought together 250 members from across the
country. The students used the occasion to commemorate the
organization's 45th anniversary.
The statement signed by the movement's chairman, Immanuel E.
Blegur, said that despite the various successes in economic
development over the past 25 years, the people remain largely
deprived of their political rights.
Besides that, the gulf between the rich and the poor is
widening because only a few groups are benefiting from the
state's economic policies and human rights abuses are rife,
Blegur said.
Political reform is needed to maintain national unity and
achieve a just and democratic society," he said.
He emphasized that the reform must be constitutional,
constructive and gradual.
"The Christian Students Movement does not want a revolution
through bloodshed or any other means that can threaten the
nation's unity," he said. "The reform should aim at reinstating
the people's political and economic rights."
The movement also supports proposals that the number of terms
a president can serve should be limited to two in order to enable
smooth succession of the top national leadership.
"A governor's term is limited to two, so why not the
president's?" Blegur said.
The limitation of the number of terms of office a president
can serve was a matter of national debate prior to the 1992
general election, when the chairman of the Indonesian Democratic
Party proposed that the number be limited to two.
The 1945 Constitution states that a president must serve for
five years and "can be re-elected" without making it clear how
many times he can be returned to office.
Blegur argued that now is the right time for politicians to
debate the need for limiting the number of terms because the
nation will review the Guidelines of State Policy ahead of the
upcoming presidential election in 1998.
The movement also criticized the executive branch of the
government for its habit of making decisions without consulting
the House of Representatives.
"The executive body has frequently acted beyond its authority
by taking up the tasks of the House of Representatives and the
People's Consultative Assembly, such as formulating draft laws,"
he said.
The movement advised that the Armed Forces should remain
neutral and not meddle in the internal affairs of political
parties.
Immanuel said the movement did not object to the Armed Force's
dual function in defense and politics, but said the military
should never take sides with any political organization.
"Armed forces everywhere in the world are neutral and they
stand above all groups. The Indonesian Armed Force's favoring of
a certain political organization will affect the development of
democracy," he said. (rms)