Golkar, ABRI push for extra presidential power

JAKARTA (JP): The dominant Golkar and its main ally, the Armed Forces, are to ask the People's Consultative Assembly to pass a decree that will give extra powers to the next president.

The two guaranteed yesterday that the implementation of the decree would follow legal procedures and not infringe on human rights or democracy.

Deputy Golkar faction chairman Akbar Tanjung claimed the decree, to be revived after a five-year lapse, was not intended to crush criticism of the government but to prevent subversion.

"Government critics should not worry about the decree, because it is aimed at allowing the president to take necessary measures to safeguard the continuation of development programs," Akbar said on the sidelines of the Assembly session.

The Assembly will deliberate the draft of the decree from tomorrow through Monday.

He added that the extra power would only target certain groups or individuals who were seeking to undermine the state.

"The decree will be applied in accordance with the laws. Don't be too anxious, because the president will always stick to the Constitution," Akbar said, in obvious reference to President Soeharto whose reelection by the Assembly is almost certain.

Golkar sponsored the draft of the decree during the Assembly's preliminary session in November last year, with the full support of the Armed Forces and the regional representatives factions.

After initial reluctance the minority United Development Party (PPP) and the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) followed suit.

The revival of the decree was suggested by President Soeharto in his briefing of 500 legislative candidates at the Bogor presidential palace in West Java in August last year.

Such a decree was first passed by the provisional Assembly in 1966 to allow then acting president Soeharto to restore order following an abortive coup attempt blamed on the Indonesian Communist Party the previous year.

The Assembly retained the decree in the next four General Sessions in 1973, 1978, 1983 and 1988, but it was never applied. The congress neither renewed nor abolished it five years ago in its 1993 General Session.

According to the Golkar draft, the president must consult the House of Representatives before exercising the power. He or she must include the execution of the power in his or her accountability speech before the Assembly.

Akbar said that should the decree be passed, it would only be effective until 2003 and subject to the Assembly's evaluation.

He dismissed the suggestion that a law be made to guide the implementation of the decree.

Deputy Golkar secretary Moestahid Astari said the faction did not expect any situation to develop within the next five years when the decree would be needed.

"We are facing tougher challenges that may pose a threat to our development programs. A constitutional means, which enables the president to take immediate actions, is needed," he said.

He said the decree would be granted to the presidency, rather than any person who holds the top post.

"That's why the decree, if it is endorsed, cannot be handed over to other people, including the vice president," he said.

Armed Forces legislator Lt. Gen. Hari Sabarno said the decree would not violate the 1945 Constitution which already equips the president with the authority to take preemptive measures.

"We want the Assembly to pass the decree for practical reasons, because the Constitution does not adequately elaborate on how the president should exercise the power," said Hari, who also heads the Armed Forces faction in the House.

He said the draft decree provided clear procedures on how the president was to exercise the extra authority.

In addition to executive power, the president also holds legislative and judicial power, according to the Constitution. He or she is allowed to make laws and grant clemency to people serving sentences. (imn/amd)