Constitutional amendment debate may be postponed

Constitutional amendment debate may be postponed

JAKARTA (JP): Recognizing the political divides and public
controversy over making amendments to the Constitution, several
factions are suggesting postponing debate on the issue till next
year.

A number of members of the People's Consultative Assembly's
Commission A, charged with constitutional amendments, conceded on
Friday that the differences may be too difficult to overcome, and
that forcing the issue with a simple vote could create political
antagonism that could affect members of the public.

"There is possibility that we could compromise and decide to
postpone several sensitive articles, such as the Article 29 (on
religion) and draft amendments on the state principles and direct
presidential elections till next year's annual session," said
Yusuf Muhammad, chairman of the National Awakening Party faction
at the Assembly.

"But it is still a maybe," he said.

Yusuf said postponing these articles would be a "wise thing to
do" to prevent political conflict among legislators that would
damage political stability. He added that there was no urgency to
immediately change them.

"For example Article 29. We can still use it (as it is). If we
force an amendment now and decide through voting, it will only
open new political wounds which could potentially create national
disintegration," Yusuf added.

Commission A chairman Jacob Tobing from the Indonesian
Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) also indicated his
support of a slow approach to amending the Constitution.

He maintained that this was not an attempt to stall the
debate.

He argued that principle articles in the Constitution should
be first introduced to the general public.

"We are not conservative, but we need a more in-depth
understanding and more consideration to amend these principle
articles," Jakob said.

He recommended that pending the discussion of these articles,
particularly the ones that touch upon the country's fundamentals,
it would be better to maintain them in their original form.

"This is not meant to say that we are not willing to
negotiate, but our stance is that maybe keeping the old articles
is better," he added.

After debates on the presidential progress report and Cabinet
reshuffle that dominated the first four-days of the annual
session, Assembly members are now turning their attention in
earnest to constitutional amendments and draft decrees.

Among the most contentious of them centers on Article 29 on
religion. Muslim-based factions are demanding a clause on
adherence to Islamic syariah law for Muslims be included.

Most factions seem opposed to it and would like to keep the
article as it is, as an acknowledgement of other religions and
faiths.

There are also fears that the amendment could create
disintegration.

Another contentious issue is whether there is support for an
amendment on the use of direct presidential elections.

PDI Perjuangan seems staunchly against it, while the Golkar
Party faction also seems to be leaning away from its original
position of supporting the amendment.

However, if debate and voting is postponed, Yusuf said it
would only apply to key articles while the more "simple" ones
were likely to ahead.

Slamet Effendy Yusuf of the Golkar Party faction said his
faction would support continued debate and a decision on the
amendments during the current session, but felt it necessary that
voting be avoided in determining the sensitive articles.

"We'll do our best to be able to deliberate all the articles
during our sessions. One thing is for sure, we are trying to
avoid voting on whether to pass a certain article or not,
especially on sensitive issues," Slamet said.

He remarked that the issue of religion would be treated
carefully, relying on lobbying instead of voting.

He stressed that such a principle issue should have the full
consensus of the whole Assembly.

"If we can't agree to amend it, the article will likely retain
its current form. Rather than wasting our time, it would be
better to focus on other articles," said Slamet. (dja/nvn)