Constitution amendment: Important but no rush

Dilemmatic is the impression we get on the changes of the 1945 Constitution, which has been made four times since the People's Consultative Assembly's session in 1999.

It is important and urgent to amend the Constitution and it should be completed during the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR)'s annual meeting next August. But, on the other hand, the amendment should not be carried out in a rush or sloppily. Things must be carried out carefully.

The (current) fourth amendment of the Constitution now becomes a central agenda (for the Assembly) as the previous three changes have yet to end the amendment program.

The fourth amendment of the Constitution is crucial that must be completed in time. Why? Because the coming general election will take place in 2004, and -- therefore -- basic things, including the elections of President and Vice President, the position of the Assembly, and the making of laws, which will be used as stand points for various bills, must be finished immediately.

What will happen if we cannot finish them in time? Will the national political system stop? Or we have no choice but to return the (original) 1945 Constitution with all of its implications on presidential election, position of the MPR, and general election. -- Kompas, Jakarta