Debate marks Assembly session

JAKARTA (JP): Minority factions United Development Party (PPP) and Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) sparked debate in the People's Consultative Assembly yesterday by suggesting changes to the institution's internal rules.

PPP spokesman Zein Badjeber told the session the Assembly should have judicial review authority over laws and all the regulations below them.

This would include verdicts stipulated by the Supreme Court, according to Zein.

"The Assembly is the highest state institution according to the 1945 Constitution. It's logical, therefore, that it be allowed to judge whether a law or Supreme Court verdict does not comply with the Constitution," Zein said.

Yesterday's session was presided over by Armed Forces faction legislator Wiranto.

Last week, both PPP and PDI defied the odds with their refusals to accept a draft of the state policy guidelines sponsored by the dominant Golkar faction.

The two small factions finally bowed to the wishes of the majority Monday.

Another revision to the internal rules suggested by the Moslem-based faction was to increase the number of members on the Assembly's working committee from 90 members to 100 members, all with equal voting rights.

Only half the committee's members currently have the right to vote.

PPP also urged the Assembly to unite the regional representatives and the representatives of various professions and mass organizations into one faction.

Nationalist-Christian alliance PDI threw its full weight behind PPP, saying the changes were needed to meet rising demands from the public over the past five years.

PDI spokesman Yahya Theo said his faction also wanted members of the working committee to serve a five-year term in a bid to enhance its performance.

The committee, whose job is to prepare for the Assembly's general session, works every five years in the six months from October to March.

Mighty Golkar, its traditional allies the Armed Forces, and regional representatives rejected the proposed changes.

Golkar spokesman Moestahid Astari said the internal rules already accommodated the public's interests and therefore remained relevant.

"Let's not confuse the Assembly's legislative authority with the Supreme Court's judicial authority. The constitution already stipulates the job descriptions of the top institutions," he said of PPP's proposal.

The session will resume today. (amd)