Has the MPR absorbed people's wishes?

Has the MPR absorbed people's wishes?

JAKARTA (JP): Members of the People's Consultative Assembly
(MPR) deliberating amendments to the 1945 Constitution denied on
Friday allegations that their work lacked transparency.

Contacted separately by The Jakarta Post, they said the MPR ad
hoc committee I for constitutional amendments had done its best
and accommodated as many people's aspirations as possible.

"I don't think those groups protesting know that we have
traveled around the country to absorb ideas from local
bureaucrats, academics and activists during our nine-month
tenure," said Valina Singka Subekti of the interest groups
faction.

"We held hearings with more than 200 organizations from
various backgrounds. We also organized national seminars on
constitutional amendments."

Several groups have protested the amendment drafts, saying
they need improvement by including their advice or removing some
articles.

The Nusantara Indigenous People's Alliance (AMAN), for
example, has demanded that the Constitution provides protection
for and pays attention to indigenous people.

One of the controversies is an article that maintains the
presence of Indonesian Military and National police officers in
the Assembly despite the legislative body's decree stipulating a
gradual phaseout of the nonelected Assembly members representing
the military and police.

Valina said it was important to compromise on sensitive
articles.

Slamet Effendy Yusuf of the Golkar Party faction also defended
the MPR ad hoc committee, which he said had completed its duties
satisfactorily.

"The ad hoc committee visited all provinces to look for
regional aspirations. We also invited scientific and professional
organizations to absorb their ideas," he said.

"I have to admit, however, that perhaps there are discontented
parties, especially those who were not involved in the drafting
process. But we could not involve them all," he added.

Slamet said it was natural if people were disappointed for not
being involved in the drafting of constitutional amendments.

"But it's all wrong if they think their absence in the process
has made the amendments invalid," he said.

"I don't think those protesting groups understand the nature
of our job in the committee, or have ever even paid a little bit
of attention to what we have done."

Separately, Dimyati Hartono of the Indonesian Democratic Party
of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) said although aspirations could be
accommodated, it was another story whether to write them in.

"We can't just take all aspirations into consideration while
we are amending the constitution. We have to select which
aspirations deserve attention," he said.

He said the Assembly should not make unnecessary changes to
the Constitution. (nvn)