Debate marks Assembly session

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)