Indonesia must revise its laws constantly: Try

JAKARTA (JP): Indonesia should stick to the 1945 Constitution in facing rapid global change but should also be prepared to review laws which are no longer applicable, Vice President Try Sutrisno said yesterday.

Opening a major seminar on law at the Merdeka Selatan Palace, Try cited as an example the economy, where, he said, the government had introduced a series of deregulatory measures designed to make the country more competitive in the world market.

"This prompts us to draw up new regulations allowing us to liberalize our trade system and privatize certain business sectors," he said.

Try said Indonesia needed new legislation on business and investment in order for the country to remain on course in its development as it faces growing competition.

Noting that legal developments should be carried out orderly and in the interests of the general public, Try said the law should protect and benefit all layers of society, particularly the less privileged ones.

The four-day seminar, involving 400 legal experts and practitioners, later proceeded at the Sahid Jaya Hotel. Among the speakers who addressed the gathering were Minister of Justice Oetojo Oesman, Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono and former vice president Sudharmono. (03)