Debate may delay Constitutional Court bill

Debate may delay Constitutional Court bill

Kurniawan Hari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A meeting between leaders of the House of Representatives and the
chairmen of House factions failed on Tuesday to reach a consensus
on who should lead the special committee deliberating the bill on
the Constitutional Court.

The majority of the legislators wanted the special committee
to be headed by Zein Badjeber, a veteran politician from the
United Development Party (PPP) faction. The Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) faction, however, insisted
that the committee be chaired by Zaenal Arifin, a PDI Perjuangan
member.

The dispute prompted House Deputy Speaker Soetardjo
Soerjogoeritno of PDI Perjuangan to adjourn the meeting until
Thursday.

Based on the amended 1945 Constitution, the House and the
government must set up the Constitutional Court by Aug. 17, 2003,
at the latest.

With less than three month to go, the wrangle over the
committee chairmanship may push back the court's establishment.

"I was assigned by my faction to chair the special committee.
But since there was a dispute, I asked the chairman to delay the
consultation meeting," Zaenal Arifin told The Jakarta Post on
Tuesday.

The Constitutional Court will be in charge of settling
constitutional disputes. Any delay in its establishment would
mean that the Supreme Court, which is already swamped with cases,
would be called upon to settle any constitutional disputes that
might arise.

With elections fast approaching the need for a Constitutional
Court is seen as that much more important. The court will have
the authority to review existing laws, settle disputes among
state institutions, dissolve political parties and settle any
disputes over election results.

Also, the Constitutional Court will be called on should the
House accuse the president and/or vice president of violating the
Constitution.

The consultation meeting was held on Monday to discuss the
appointment of three legislators to chair three special
committees deliberating three bills.

I Nyoman Goenawan of PDI Perjuangan was appointed to chair the
special committee investigating land dispute throughout the
country, while Akil Mochtar of Golkar was appointed to head the
committee deliberating the bill on foundations.

"To be fair, a PPP legislator should chair the committee
deliberating the bill on the Constitutional Court," said PPP
legislator Sjaiful Rachman.

Sayuti Rahawarin of the Daulatul Ummah Party (PDU) faction
said he wanted Zein Badjeber to lead the special committee
because the bill on the Constitutional Court was drafted by the
legislation body headed by Zein.

"Ideally, Pak Zein would chair the committee because he knows
the bill better," he said.

Sjaiful Rachman added that the House must appoint a chairman
for the committee immediately because any delays could affect the
endorsement of the bill.

Zaenal, meanwhile, said the position of committee chairman was
not overly strategic. He said he would accept any decision made
by his faction.

"The most important thing is for the committee to start
deliberating the bill," he said.