Constitutional amendment opposed

Constitutional amendment opposed

JAKARTA: Members of the Veterans Association (PEPABRI) met
with Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) chairman Hasyim Muzadi on Wednesday,
seeking his support for their campaign to stop the amendment of
the 1945 Constitution.

The deputy chairman of the Veterans Association, Lt. Gen.
(ret) Syaiful Sulun, said politicians were going too far in
amending the Constitution, and he feared this would lead to a
Constitution devoid of the spirit of independence.

"The latest amendment proposing the direct election of the
president would mean that only the victorious party would decide
the country's State Policy Guidelines. How can that be? It goes
against democratic principles," Syaiful said after a closed-door
meeting with Hasyim and several other executives of the Muslim
organization.

Asked why the PEPABRI had approached the NU about joining
their campaign, Syaiful said the veterans realized that Nahdlatul
Ulama, as the country's largest Muslim organization, could
influence the country's decision-makers. -- JP