Fears grow of delay in General Session

JAKARTA (JP): Senior political figures have voiced strong concern that the upcoming General Session of the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) might be postponed, after a top military official earlier warned that security conditions were not conducive for the all-important political event.

Deputy chairman of the Golkar Party Marzuki Darusman, National Mandate Party (PAN) chairman Amien Rais and United Development Party (PPP) chairman Hamzah Haz all cautioned against any delay.

Indonesian Military (TNI) deputy commander Adm. Widodo A.S. warned on Monday that the current situation was not conducive for the General Session in November.

As evidence for his claim, Widodo cited the continuing bickering among political elites, members of whom have not shown any commitment to settling their differences.

However he stopped short of saying that the military would recommend the General Session be postponed.

Marzuki pointed out on Tuesday that the public expected the session to be held as planned. "If it is delayed it will raise more complicated consequences ahead," he said.

However, Marzuki stressed the need to first verify whether Widodo made the statement on behalf of the military, or in a personal capacity.

Marzuki speculated that Widodo was seeking to remind all political parties on the need for consensus to guarantee a smooth Assembly session.

"If it's an official statement made by the military in order to delay the General Session, then we're talking about something different.

"But if the statement is meant to remind us, then I think he's right in that we need to have a consensus among the political parties to ensure a smooth session," he said.

Separately, Amien Rais said the session should not be delayed unless there was a concrete reason.

"If it is delayed, the situation will be completely chaotic," he said. "People will loose their faith in democracy."

PPP chairman Hamzah Haz conceded that the President and the Assembly Speaker had the prerogative to delay the session. However, he said the President must have tangible grounds for any such action.

"If a security reason like East Timor is used as an excuse to delay the sessions, then it is invalid, and there is no reason to do so. We have already allowed a international peacekeeping force to handle the situation there," Hamzah said.

The session itself is scheduled to be held in early November. The first part of the process will begin on Oct. 1 with the swearing in of new Assembly members.

Separately in Purwokerto, Central Java, political scientist Rubiyanto Misman strongly protested the proposed delay of the session, saying a postponement would further complicate the national scene.

"Given the current state of the nation, it's really like facing someone who's acutely ill. The best thing to do is to seek medical treatment as soon as possible," said Rubiyanto, who is also rector of Jenderal Soedirman University. (emf/45)