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