Government confirms political reform agenda

JAKARTA (JP): The government confirmed yesterday the schedule for its political reform agenda, to peak in December next year with the election of a new president and vice president.

A meeting of Cabinet members under Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Feisal Tanjung decided that it was necessary to publicize the political agenda to give greater political certainty to the public, including foreign investors.

"This political certainty is essential for the public and for international relations," according to a statement issued after the meeting.

The government pledged to respect principles guiding international economic relations, which include guarantees of the safety for local and foreign entrepreneurs.

"The meeting held the opinion that foreign investors should no longer hesitate in bringing their capital to Indonesia," it said.

Many local and foreign investors have left Indonesia in recent months because of the political turmoil. Few have since returned despite the change of government.

The meeting unveiled the following schedule:

* By December 1998: Revise three political laws -- on elections, on the composition of the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR), and on political parties.

* December 1998: Convene an extraordinary session of the MPR to set a date for general elections.

* January 1998: Enact the three political laws.

* January 1998 to mid 1999: Socialize the new political laws, form and endorse new political parties, and prepare for general elections.

* Mid 1999: General elections

* December 1999: Convene an MPR meeting to draw up the State Policy Guidelines and elect a president and vice president.

The meeting said the reform process required time but that the government took into account both its urgency and the need to observe the constitutional process in drawing up the schedule.

The meeting also underscored the work underway to review and improve various legislation, including the laws on subversion, corruption, press and broadcasting, monopoly and competition, and ratification of the United Nations' conventions against racial discrimination and torture. (emb)